David M Jackson

USA TODAY

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio — Donald Trump is redeploying aggressive rhetoric toward counter-terrorism in the wake of the Istanbul airport attack, talking about waterboarding and "much worse" techniques.

"We have to fight so viciously and violently because we're dealing with violent people," Trump told supporters during a Tuesday night rally at the Ohio University Eastern Campus.

He also said, "we have to fight fire with fire," and "we better get smart ... and we better get tough — or we are not going to have much of a country left.”

Trump's apocalyptic language contrasted with a more restrained written statement his campaign issued hours earlier.

Trump on Turkey attack: 'Will the world ever realize what is going on?'

"Our enemies are brutal and ruthless and will do anything to murder those who do not bend to their will," it said. "We must take steps now to protect America from terrorists, and do everything in our power to improve our security to keep America safe."

The Obama administration banned waterboarding as an interrogation technique for terrorist suspects, calling it an illegal form of torture.

During his presidential campaign, Trump has called for targeting killings of family members of known terrorists, another proposal that critics have called illegal under international law.

Trump has also called for "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on" with terrorism.

Istanbul airport reopens after scores killed in suspected ISIL attack

While there have been signs that Trump may change his stance — perhaps restricting migration only from countries with a known history of terrorism — aides said his views are consistent.

In his recent counter-terrorism speech, just days after the terrorist attack in Orlando, Trump said his proposed "ban" was initially met "with great scorn and anger" but now has support.

"Although the pause is temporary, we must find out what is going on — we have to do it," Trump said. "It will be lifted, this ban, when and as a nation we're in a position to properly and perfectly screen these people coming into our country."

Trump's rhetoric is harsher than previous nominees

Trump's critics said violent extremists are using Trump's rhetoric as a recruiting tool and to bolster their claim that they are fighting a war between Islam and the West.

Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton, who has described Trump's rhetoric as reckless, said he is also alienating Muslim nations who are helping the United States fight terrorists.

"We must deepen our cooperation with our allies and partners in the Middle East and Europe to take on this threat," Clinton said after the Istanbul attack. "Such cooperation is essential to protecting the homeland and keeping our country safe."