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WASHINGTON, Oct 15 (Reuters) – US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he wants the death penalty for anyone who kills a firefighter.

Trump, who previously has called for the death penalty for anyone found guilty of killing a police officer, made the comment during a White House Rose Garden lunch honoring firefighter organizations.

Trump said he had directed the Justice Department to seek the death penalty in such cases, specifically “anybody that murders a firefighter going up a ladder.”

(Reporting by Nandita Bose and Steve Holland; Editing by Caitlin Webber)