By Scott Wong - 06/14/16
Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on Tuesday pushed back on presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump’s call for barring Muslims from entering the United States, saying a ban was “not in our country’s interest.”
“I do not think a Muslim ban is in our country’s interest,” Ryan told reporters at GOP national headquarters. “I do not think it is reflective of our principles, not just as a party but as a country.”
“I do not think a Muslim ban is in our country’s interest,” Ryan told reporters at GOP national headquarters. “I do not think it is reflective of our principles, not just as a party but as a country.”
Ryan’s
remarks came one day after Trump doubled down on his plan to temporarily
ban nearly all Muslims from entering the U.S. in the wake of the
terrorist attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando — the deadliest mass
shooting in American history. The Orlando gunman was born in New York to
Afghan immigrants.
Trump also called for a ban on immigration from all countries that have a history of terrorism.
Tuesday marked just the latest example of the Speaker, the highest-ranking elected Republican in the country, breaking with Trump, who will accept the GOP nomination next month in Cleveland.
In recent months, Ryan has condemned Trump for refusing to distance himself from white supremacists, for inciting violence at his rallies and for launching racial attacks against a Mexican-American federal judge.
Last December was the first time Ryan admonished Trump for proposing a temporary ban on Muslims, something Ryan at the time called “unconstitutional” and not reflective of conservatism.
“I think there is a really important distinction that every American needs to keep in mind: This is a war with radical Islam. It’s not a war with Islam,” Ryan said Tuesday.
“Muslims are our partners. The vast, vast majority of Muslims in this country and around the world are moderates. They’re peaceful,” the Speaker continued. “They’re among our best allies, among our best resources in this fight against radical Islamic terrorism.”
In response to the Orlando attack, which left 49 dead and scores more injured, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said the House this week will vote on a package of bills to combat the threat of homegrown terrorism.
On Tuesday afternoon, FBI Director James Comey and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson will also provide a classified briefing on the Florida attack to all House members. Senators will be briefed on Wednesday.
“As Americans, we need to up our game to confront this real threat,” Ryan said. “We don’t think the administration has done a good enough job in confronting this threat.
“We think more needs to be done.”
This report was updated at 11:22 a.m.
Trump also called for a ban on immigration from all countries that have a history of terrorism.
Tuesday marked just the latest example of the Speaker, the highest-ranking elected Republican in the country, breaking with Trump, who will accept the GOP nomination next month in Cleveland.
In recent months, Ryan has condemned Trump for refusing to distance himself from white supremacists, for inciting violence at his rallies and for launching racial attacks against a Mexican-American federal judge.
Last December was the first time Ryan admonished Trump for proposing a temporary ban on Muslims, something Ryan at the time called “unconstitutional” and not reflective of conservatism.
“I think there is a really important distinction that every American needs to keep in mind: This is a war with radical Islam. It’s not a war with Islam,” Ryan said Tuesday.
“Muslims are our partners. The vast, vast majority of Muslims in this country and around the world are moderates. They’re peaceful,” the Speaker continued. “They’re among our best allies, among our best resources in this fight against radical Islamic terrorism.”
In response to the Orlando attack, which left 49 dead and scores more injured, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said the House this week will vote on a package of bills to combat the threat of homegrown terrorism.
On Tuesday afternoon, FBI Director James Comey and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson will also provide a classified briefing on the Florida attack to all House members. Senators will be briefed on Wednesday.
“As Americans, we need to up our game to confront this real threat,” Ryan said. “We don’t think the administration has done a good enough job in confronting this threat.
“We think more needs to be done.”
This report was updated at 11:22 a.m.
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