"You Have to Fight Fire With Fire," Says Donald Trump After Istanbul Terror Attack

Reacting to Tuesday's deadly terror attack at Turkey's busiest Ataturk airport, presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump reiterated his call for the return of waterboarding and the use of other harsher interrogation techniques in the battle against Islamic State militants.

Trump told a rally crowd in St. Clairsville, Ohio that, "You have to fight fire with fire," reminding everyone about the danger of threats at home.

During the Republican primary, Trump frequently advocated the return of waterboarding and "much worse," declaring at one point that "torture works."

"We have to fight so viciously and violently because we're dealing with violent people," Trump said.

Trump continues his harsh rhetoric as he approaches the general election campaign, even as his advisers work to make him more measured.

The presumptive Republican nominee told a rally in Ohio, that "there's something going on that's really, really bad. We better get smart and we better get tough or we're not going to have much of a country left."

Suspected Islamic State militants had killed 36 people and wounded more than 140 people at the International terminal of Istanbul Ataturk Airport on Tuesday.

Trump's campaign also released a statement earlier Tuesday saying its "prayers are with the families" of those killed and injured.

We must take steps now to protect America from terrorists, and do everything in our power to improve our security to keep America safe," it added.

Trump's opponent and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton meanwhile said that the bombings at Istanbul Ataturk Airport are "a reminder that the United States cannot retreat."

Hillary in a statement said that the U.S. must deepen its cooperation with allies and partners in the Middle East and Europe "to take on this threat."

"Such cooperation is essential to protecting the homeland and keeping our country safe," Clinton said.

Clinton asked Americans to stand united with the people of Turkey against this campaign of hatred and violence.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the Turkish people. ... "Today's attack in Istanbul only strengthens our resolve to defeat the forces of terrorism and radical jihadism around the world," Clinton added.