Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) announced Wednesday that he is endorsing presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE.

"I'm going to officially endorse Donald Trump. It's time," he said on Fox News's "Fox and Friends."

Zinke, a retired Navy SEAL commander, said in a statement provided to The Hill that the "choice is clear."

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"I look at who our options are to serve as the next President and to me the choice is clear," he said. "As a former military commander, I know our troops need a Commander in Chief who puts America First."

The Montana Republican contrasted Trump with Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonJeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Warning signs flash for Lindsey Graham in South Carolina MORE, who served as secretary of State during the 2012 Benghazi terrorist attack.

"We need a commander in chief who supports our troops rather than abandons them in Benghazi. That was personal for me. I had friends die in Benghazi, friends who I grew with in the Navy SEALs. They were more than friends, they were brothers," he said.

Zinke also dinged Clinton for once claiming she had run across a tarmac in Bosnia to avoid sniper fire, when video later showed her walking casually with her daughter. Clinton later said she misspoke.

"We need a commander in chief who honors the sacrifices of warfighters, rather than one who lies about being there. I was there in Bosnia and I can tell you for certain, Hillary Clinton was nowhere near sniper fire," he said. "Stolen valor is not becoming of a commander in chief."

"Finally, we need a commander in chief who will hunt down and kill terrorists, rather than let them out of [Guantanamo Bay] and then apologize for detaining them," he said.

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Zinke also cited Trump's Washington-outsider status, his business experience and the need to create good-paying jobs in Montana.

"As Montana's Congressman, I know we need a new kind of president who knows the difference between the Potomac River and the Yellowstone River. We need a businessman who will not accept Washington's business as usual. America is going broke while Washington, D.C., booms."

"And finally, we need a businessman who will create more good-paying jobs, rather than kill what remaining good coal jobs we have left after the Obama-Clinton War on Coal," he said.

"Mr. Trump and I do not agree on 100 percent of the issues, but I can say without a doubt, he will be more trustworthy and truthful than Hillary Clinton even knows how to be. I'm happy to welcome the next President of the United States to Montana."

Trump will campaign in Billings, Mont., on Thursday with Zinke, who is running for reelection.