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Donald Trump has called for changing laws that govern interrogation techniques to “bring back a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding.” | AP Trump calls Geneva Conventions 'the problem'

APPLETON, Wis. — Donald Trump believes American troops are afraid to fight for fear of violating the Geneva Conventions, he said Wednesday.

“The problem is we have the Geneva Conventions, all sorts of rules and regulations, so the soldiers are afraid to fight,” Trump said at an afternoon town hall during remarks on torture.

“We can’t waterboard, but they can chop off heads,” Trump said, referring to the United States and the Islamic State, respectively. “I think we’ve got to make some changes, some adjustments.”

The Geneva Conventions, adopted broadly after World War II, govern the treatment of civilians and prisoners of war — including a ban on torture and summary executions. They mirror rules the U.S. adopted in 1882.

Trump has called for changing laws that govern interrogation techniques to “bring back a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding.”

Trump has also previously said that American troops would not disobey him if he gave them illegal orders, but he later walked that remark back.

A campaign spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday’s remarks.