White House: Debate over what to call terrorism ‘a political talking point’

The White House says debate over President Obama’s description of Islamic extremists is “a political talking point.”

“Using the term ‘radical Islamic terrorism’ is not a counterterrorism strategy. It’s a political talking point, plain and simple,” press secretary Josh Earnest told CNN on Tuesday morning.

{mosads}“The president has built an international coalition of 65 nations to take the fight to ISIL. He has not relied on a political talking point as a counterterrorism strategy. Republicans in the Senate who like to talk have that luxury. When you’re the president and you’re responsible for keeping the country safe, you don’t have that luxury,” he said, using an alternative acronym for the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Critics say the Obama administration’s reluctance to use the phrase “radical Islamic terrorism” undermines counterterror efforts.

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on Monday slammed the Justice Department for redacting references to ISIS in partial transcripts of the Orlando shooter’s 911 calls.

“The administration should release the full, un-redacted transcript so the public is clear-eyed about who did this, and why,” Ryan said, adding the move is “preposterous.”

Gunman Omar Mateen, 29, reportedly praised ISIS during 911 calls as he attacked Pulse nightclub in Orlando last week. The shooting left 49 killed and 53 injured, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

Obama last week lashed out at critics of his counterterrorism strategy after the shooting, saying the furor over the term “radical Islamic terrorism” is nothing more than “a political distraction.”