Former CIA Director Leon Panetta on Wednesday questioned Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE's loyalty to the United States, according to CNN's Christiane Amanpour.

Fmr. CIA Dir. Panetta on Trump call for Russia HRC hacking: Trump's loyalty to U.S. in question & possible "conspiracy" with a foreign power — Christiane Amanpour (@camanpour) July 27, 2016

Panetta told the network it was "totally outrageous" for the Republican presidential nominee to say he hoped Russia got a hold of the emails Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Democratic super PAC to hit Trump in battleground states over coronavirus deaths Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight MORE deleted from the private server she used when she was secretary of State.

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"You've got now a presidential candidate who is, in fact, asking the Russians to engage in American politics," said Panetta, who has endorsed Clinton in the White House race.



"I just think that that's beyond the pale," he continued. "I think that kind of statement only reflects the fact that he truly is not qualified to be president of the United States."

Trump on Wednesday made an appeal to Russia during a sprawling press conference at his Miami-area hotel, scheduled in the middle of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

"Russia, if you are listening, I hope you are able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by the press," Trump stated.

Clinton's campaign called Trump's remarks "a bridge too far."