White House: Trump’s proposal on Muslims ‘contrary to our values’
A top White House official on Monday afternoon blasted Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump’s proposal calling for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the U.S.
“It’s totally contrary to our values as Americans,” White House Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said during an appearance on CNN’s “The Situation Room.”
{mosads}”You know, we have in our Bill of Rights respect for the freedom of religion. Muslim Americans have made extraordinary contributions to our country, but it’s also contrary to our security,” he said.
Rhodes then pivoted to argue that the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) “wants to frame this as a war between the United States and Islam” and suggested Trump was aiding in that effort.
“If we look like we’re applying religious tests [for] who comes into this country, we’re sending a message that essentially we’re embracing that frame,” Rhodes said.
“We should be making it harder for ISIL to portray this as a war between the United States and Islam, not easier,” Rhodes added, using an alternate acronym for ISIS.
Trump, a celebrity real estate tycoon who saw presidential rival Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) steal the top spot in an Iowa poll earlier Monday, has called for a “total and complete shutdown” of Muslims entering the U.S.
He argued that a significant number of Muslims harbor “hatred” toward the United States and should be kept out of the country. A spokeswoman said his “shutdown call” includes American Muslims living abroad.
His statement, expected to be underscored during a campaign rally Monday night, comes a day after President Obama’s Oval Office speech on efforts to combat ISIS where he warned against Islamophobia.
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