Hillary Clinton Invokes Muhammad Ali to Bash Donald Trump

OXNARD, California — -- Hillary Clinton invoked Muhammad Ali today as she blasted Donald Trump for his attack on the federal judge assigned to handle one of the suits filed against Trump University.

"On a day that we are mourning Muhammad Ali, it's worth remembering that we live in a country where people can break down barriers, where they can worship their own god, where they can choose their own name, and where they can lead and follow their dreams as far as their hard work and talent will take them," Clinton told a fired up crowd of 1,200 packed into a high school gymnasium in Oxnard -- her first campaign rally since the boxing legend's passing.

"I've always believed that in America it doesn’t matter where your parents were born or what color your skin is, we’re judged by our words and our deeds, not our race, not our ethnicity, not our religion," she added.

Ali changed his name from Cassius Clay when he converted to Islam after becoming heavyweight boxing champion of the world.

Clinton made the comments about Ali after laying into Trump for his comments on Judge Gonzalo Curiel, the federal judge presiding over one of the lawsuits against Trump University. Trump has said Curiel has "an absolute conflict" of interest regarding the case because "of Mexican heritage."

"He is trying to distract people by making a prejudiced bigoted attack," Clinton exclaimed today.

"Judge Curiel is as much of an American as I am and he is as much of an American as Donald Trump is," she continued, "But he has Mexican roots, so to Donald Trump that means he can’t do his job."

Just before these remarks, Clinton tweeted about Muhammad Ali, who passed away on Friday at the age of 74.

"Muhammad Ali really was The Greatest -- unmatched not just in power and skill, but also in courage and conscience. Think of his family,” she wrote.

Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, is expected to deliver the eulogy at Ali's funeral service next week.