S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley links Trump to terrorist Dylann Roof: 'I know what that rhetoric can do'

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) invoked Charleston mass shooter Dylann Roof in an interview decrying Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's rhetoric.

Haley, who endorsed Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) during the GOP primaries, told the Charleston Post and Courier she wanted Trump to use "a civil, respectful tone" as his campaign continues, saying he owed it to the country to do so.

The remarks came 15 days away from the first anniversary of the attack inside the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church that caused the deaths of state Sen. Clementa C. Pinckney (D) and nine other victims.

The Justice Department is seeking the death penalty for Roof, who was inspired by white nationalist websites.

"I know what that rhetoric can do," Haley said. "I saw it happen."

At the same time, however, the governor said she did not feel that Trump's supporters were racist.

"That's a different kind of anger. They're upset with Washington, D.C.," she said. "They're upset nothing’s got done. The way he communicates that, I wish were different."