John Kerry warns US presidential race is becoming an 'embarrassment'

The Secretary of State has warned that world leaders have indicated to him that the current election is harming the US' reputation internationally

US Secretary of State John Kerry (AFP/Getty Images)

US Secretary of State John Kerry has called the 2016 presidential race an “embarrassment” and warned that it is lowering the country’s reputation internationally.

The politician told CBS’s Face the Nation that many of the world leaders with whom he meets expressed concerns over the election, saying: “I think it’s fair to say that they’re shocked. It upsets people’s sense of equilibrium about our steadiness, about our reliability.

“And to some degree I must say to you, some of the questions, the way they’re posed to me, it’s clear to me that what’s happening is an embarrassment to our country”, Mr Kerry warned.

The election race has been regarded by many commentators as one of the most divisive and fractured in recent years. Donald Trump remains the Republican front runner and has made many comments which have been seen as justifying discrimination and violence against religious and ethnic minorities.

He has previously called for a temporary ban on Muslims from entering the US, supported killing terror suspects’ families in contravention of international human rights laws and supported military torture of prisoners. Recently at rallies, he has been accused of encouraging and tolerating violence. A number of arrests have been made amid allegations that protestors have been attacked and injured by Trump supporters. At a recent rally, Mr Trump said of one protestor: “I’d like to punch him in the face.” At another, he said: “Get him [a protestor] out. Try not to hurt him. If you do I’ll defend you in court… Are Trump rallies the most fun? We’re having a good time.”

Texas senator and fellow Republican nominee hopeful Ted Cruz has also made comments regarding Muslim communities which have been criticised as amounting to discrimination. He has advocated sending police officers to areas with large Muslim populations to “patrol and secure” them.