Top Hillary Clinton Surrogate Ties Donald Trump To George Zimmerman

Labor Secretary Tom Perez, a top surrogate for Hillary Clinton, went after Donald Trump Thursday by tying him to the man who killed Trayvon Martin.

"It wouldn't surprise me that George Zimmerman wanted to be on Donald Trump’s side becausethey share the same values," Perez said in a call with reporters.

In February 2012, Zimmerman shot and killed Martin, an unarmed black teenager who was walking down the street in Sanford, Florida. Zimmerman, a neighborhood watchman, claimed he shot Martin in self-defense. The case set off a national debate about racial bias and so-calledStand Your Ground laws. Ajury found Zimmerman not guiltyin 2013, and frustration about the acquittal helped launch the Black Lives Matter movement.

On Wednesday, Zimmerman said he was auctioning off the gun he used to kill Martin and would use some of the proceeds to stop Clinton.

"I am proud to announce that a portion of the proceeds will be used to: fight BLM violence against Law Enforcement officers, ensure the demise of Angela Correy's (sic) persecution career andHillary Clinton's anti-firearm rhetoric. Now is your opportunity to own a piece of American History," Zimmerman wrote on the online auction site.

Corey was the Florida state attorney who charged Zimmerman. His listing for the gunno longer appearson the auction site.

Clinton tweeted a note to Martin's mother, Sybrina Fulton, Thursday in response to Zimmerman's announcement.Fulton is a supporterof the Democratic presidential candidate.

At the time of the Martin killing, Perez was in charge of the Justice Department's civil rights division andled the investigationinto whether what Zimmerman did was a hate crime. Ultimately, the agencydecided not to pursue federal chargesagainst him.

Perez is widely seen as a possible vice presidential running mate for Clinton, but he said Thursdayhe has not discussedthe issue with the former secretary of state.

Trump may not want Zimmerman's support. In the past, he's called him a "bad guy" and "nothing but trouble."