Trump on Muslim ban: ‘You could say it’s an expansion’

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in an interview broadcast Sunday denied that he’s rolled back his proposal to ban Muslims from entering the U.S.

{mosads}”In fact, you could say it’s an expansion,” Trump said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” when asked about his speech at the Republican National Convention Thursday night, when he called for an immediate suspension of immigration from “any nation that has been compromised by terrorism” until there are proper vetting mechanisms.

“I’m looking now at territory. People were so upset when I used the word ‘Muslim.’ Oh, you can’t use the word ‘Muslim.’ Remember this. And I’m OK with that, because I’m talking territory instead of ‘Muslim.’

“But just remember this: Our Constitution is great. But it doesn’t necessarily give us the right to commit suicide, OK?” Trump continued.

The GOP nominee said he would limit immigration from several countries that have been compromised by terrorism. He cited problems in Germany and France, which have been the sites of recent terrorist attacks over the past several weeks.

“Now, we have a religious, you know, everybody wants to be protected. And that’s great. And that’s the wonderful part of our Constitution. I view it differently,” he said.

“Why are we committing suicide? Why are we doing it? But you know what? I live with our Constitution. I love our Constitution. I cherish our Constitution. We’re making it territorial. We have nations, and we’ll come out — I’m going to be coming out over the next few weeks with a number of the places. And it’s very complex.”

He also said he would stop Syrian migration to the United States, but noted the country would “build safe havens” in Syria for those needing refuge.

“We, the United States, we’ll get Gulf states to pay for it, because we, right now, we’re going to have $21 trillion very soon — trillion — in debt,” he said.

“We will do safe havens and safe zones in Syria, and we will get nations that are so wealthy that are not doing anything. They’re not doing much. They have nothing but money.”