REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES SLAMS DONALD TRUMP'S 'MUSLIM US BAN' CALL
There has been a storm of
condemnation from Donald Trump's fellow Republicans after the
presidential candidate called for a ban on Muslims entering the US.
Rival candidate Jeb Bush called Mr Trump "unhinged". Former US vice-president Dick Cheney said it "goes against everything we stand for and believe in".
The White House and Muslim leaders also criticised Mr Trump's statement.
Mr Trump said many Muslims nursed a "hatred" towards America.
In a campaign statement,
he called for "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the
United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is
going on".
His campaign manager said that would apply to "everybody" - would-be immigrants and tourists. But Mr Trump told Fox News it would "not apply to people living in the country", adding that Muslims serving in the US military would "come home".
Mr Trump's statement was delivered as the US comes to terms with its deadliest terror attack since 9/11.
Last
week a Muslim couple, believed to have been radicalised, opened fire
and killed 14 people at a health centre in San Bernardino.
Mr Trump garnered loud cheers when he repeated his ban pledge at a South Carolina rally hours after his initial statement.
But fellow Republicans lined up to condemn him:
"Donald Trump is unhinged. His 'policy' proposals are not serious" - rival candidate Jeb Bush
"Downright dangerous" - rival candidate Lindsey Graham.
"This whole notion that we can just say 'no more Muslims', and just ban a whole religion goes against
everything we stand for and believe in. Religious freedom has been a very important part of our history and where we came from... It's a mistaken notion" - former vice president Dick Cheney
"It is un-Republican. It is unconstitutional. And it is un-American'' - Jennifer Horn, chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Hampshire, condemning the call along with Republican Party heads in Iowa and South Carolina. The first primaries will take place in the three states next year
Some of his Republican rivals - mindful, perhaps, that Mr
Trump's more outlandish proposals only appear to have bolstered his poll
ratings - were more nuanced in their responses.
Carly Fiorina
used her response to take simultaneous aim at President Barack Obama,
saying his "overreaction is as dangerous as President Obama's
under-reaction" - while Ted Cruz said: "Well, that is not my policy."
Ben
Carson said visitors to the US should be monitored, but added: "I do
not and would not advocate being selective on one's religion".
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