David M Jackson

USA TODAY

CLEVELAND — The latest name to surface in Donald Trump's vice presidential search criticized Democrat Hillary Clinton on Sunday for what he called a lack of leadership in the wake of last week's shootings involving police and African Americans.

Retired Gen. Michael Flynn, speaking on ABC's This Week, also indicated he supports abortion rights and downplayed the significance of the same-sex marriage issue, saying the election should be about national security.

"It's about leadership, and it's about responsible leadership as well," Flynn told ABC. "The country is going in the wrong direction."

Flynn said Clinton's comments after this week's violence — the shooting deaths of two African-American men by police and the killings of five police officers in Dallas — were "totally irresponsible when she talked about white people being to blame. I mean, that is so irresponsible."

A Clinton supporter, Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, told ABC that Clinton also honored police officers and said all people should respect the difficult jobs they do. He said the Democratic presidential candidate has "been somebody who’s tried to heal the divisions of our country."

The retired general, who once worked in the Obama administration, also criticized the FBI for declining to recommend prosecution of Clinton over her use of private email as secretary of state.

While Flynn said he was not speaking for Trump, he is "honored" by reports that the businessman is considering him for running mate.

Trump is providing quasi-tryouts for vice presidential contenders, including ex-House speaker Newt Gingrich and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

If Flynn is picked, he could face opposition from social conservatives over abortion rights. Asked about that issue on ABC, Flynn said women "are the ones that have to make the decision" because they are the ones who have to "decide to bring up that child or not."

In a statement following Flynn's interview, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, which opposes abortion, said, “General Flynn has disqualified himself from consideration as Vice President. His pro-abortion position is unacceptable and would undermine the pro-life policy commitments that Mr. Trump has made throughout the campaign.”

On the other side of the abortion debate, Dawn Laguens, executive vice president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said in a statement: “Women in America are not fooled –– Donald Trump doesn’t understand or care about women’s health or lives. ... Whomever he picks as Vice President will reflect those values."

On another top issue for religious conservatives, Flynn basically declined to answer questions about same-sex marriage, saying the main issue in the election is national security.

Asked about one of Trump's main issues, immigration, Flynn said he supports the idea of stepped-up deportation: "If they're here illegally, then it's illegal."

Flynn is also a registered Democrat and declined to say whether he has switched parties.

"I vote for leadership," he said. "That's what I vote for, and I vote for America."

ABC News provided background on Flynn: