The Pentagon said Tuesday that a ban on Muslims entering the U.S. could hurt national security by supporting the Islamic State’s narrative that America is at war with Islam.
Asked about GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump’s proposal to ban all Muslims from entering America, Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook declined to wade into the political storm.
But Cook did say that any actions that make the country appear to be against the Muslim faith more broadly would be counterproductive.
“Anything that bolsters the ISIL narrative and puts United States against Islamic faith is certainly not only contrary to national values but also contrary to national security,” he said.
The White House and State Department have already condemned the proposal, saying it goes against American values.
Cook pointed out that the U.S. is partnering with Muslim countries, including Turkey, in the coalition to fight the Islamic State. He also said he hopes the current political rhetoric doesn’t affect the morale of the thousands of Muslim U.S. service members who are serving honorably.
Trump on Monday said he would ban all Muslims from entering the U.S. by having customs staff ask them upon arriving in America if they are Muslim. He later clarified his remarks to say that Muslim service members would be allowed back into the country after deployments.
The comments drew stiff rebukes from both parties on Tuesday. White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the comment “disqualifies him from serving as president” because of its contradiction to the Constitution.
Republicans also didn’t mince words in criticizing Trump’s proposal. House Speaker Paul Ryan said Trump’s plan is “not what the party stands for” and Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said he doesn’t agree with Trump.
“We need to aggressively take on radical Islamic terrorism, but not at the expense of our American values,” Priebus said.
