GOP, Dem rivals condemn Trump’s Muslim ban proposal

Both Republican and Democratic presidential candidates alike condemned GOP front-runner Donald Trump’s call for a “total and complete shutdown” of Muslims coming into the United States until leaders can “figure out what is going on.”

Trump said in a release on Monday: “Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life.”

{mosads}Statements of condemnation came quickly from many of his GOP rivals as well as those on the Democratic side.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who frequently spars with the real estate mogul, said in a statement: “This is just more of the outrageous divisiveness that characterizes his every breath and another reason why he is entirely unsuited to lead the United States.”

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in a Thursday radio interview on The Michael Medved show responded to Trump’s call.

“Again, this is the kind of thing that people say when they have no experience and don’t know what they’re talking about” Christie said in the interview. “We do not need to endorse that type of activity, nor should we. What we need to do is to increase our intelligence capabilities and activity both around the world and in the homeland.” 

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush tweeted:

Donald Trump is unhinged. His “policy” proposals are not serious.

— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) December 7, 2015

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who is tied for last place in the GOP field, nearly 30 points behind Trump nationlly, tweeted:

.@Realdonaldtrump has gone from making absurd comments to being downright dangerous with his bombastic rhetoric.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 7, 2015

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) responded while in South Carolina and pointed to legislation he introduced in the Senate regarding refugees.

“Well that, that is not my policy. I’ve introduced legislation in the Senate that would put in place a three year moratorium on refugees coming from countries where ISIS or Al Qaeda can control a substantial amount of territory. And the reason is that’s where the threat is coming from,” Cruz said.

He continued, “I think that’s the approach we should take and we need a commander and chief who is focused on keeping this nation safe. And the way we do so is focusing in particular on radical Islamic terrorism which is exactly what I intend to do.”

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has also introduced his own legislation pausing refugees from countries with “significant jihadist movements” from entering the country.

In response to Trump’s latest call, Paul campaign spokesman Sergio Gor said, “Senator Rand Paul has led on the issue of border security, proposing real solutions. That’s why earlier this month he introduced legislation to block visitors and immigrants from nations with known radical elements while a new system is developed to screen properly.”

On Monday evening, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio tweeted:

I disagree with Donald Trump’s latest proposal. His habit of making offensive and outlandish statements will not bring Americans together.

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) December 8, 2015

According to a tweet from CNN’s Jake Tapper, Carly Fiorina said she thought “Donald Trump’s overreaction is as dangerous as President Obama’s under reaction…Donald Trump always plays on everyone’s worst instincts and fears.” She called Trump’s proposal “a dangerous overreaction.”

On the Democratic side, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley responded to Trump’s call, tweeting that Trump “is running for President as a fascist demagogue.”

.@realdonaldtrump removes all doubt: he is running for President as a fascist demagogue.

— Martin O’Malley (@MartinOMalley) December 7, 2015

Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said in a statement, “Demagogues throughout our history have attempted to divide us based on race, gender, sexual orientation or country of origin. Now, Trump and others want us to hate all Muslims. The United States is a great nation when we stand together. We are a weak nation when we allow racism and xenophobia to divide us.”

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was the last of the Democratic candidates to condemn Trump, tweeting:

This is reprehensible, prejudiced and divisive. @RealDonaldTrump, you don’t get it. This makes us less safe. -H https://t.co/SjAqL0clHd

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 7, 2015