Conservative Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan wrote in her latest op-ed that in response to the Islamic State’s terrorist attacks in Brussels, Republican “elites” should adopt a more restrictive immigration policy.
“Radical jihadism is not going to go away, not for a long time, probably decades,” Noonan wrote. “For 15 years it has in significant ways shaped our lives, and it will shape our children’s too. They will have to win the war. It will not be effectively fought with guilt, ambivalence or double-mindedness. That, in the West, will have to change.”
Following the attacks this week that killed 31 people and wounded hundreds more, President Obama called it “yet another reminder that the world must unite, we must be together, regardless of nationality, or race, or faith, in fighting against the scourge of terrorism.”
On the other end of the spectrum, Donald Trump said the U.S. should “close up our borders” and his fellow Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz said more resources should be dedicated to monitoring “radical Muslim neighborhoods.”
Noonan wrote in her column that “pride” and a contempt for average citizens is keeping “Republican operatives and elected officials” from pushing for greater border control.
“They see the rise of Donald Trump and know it has something to do with immigration, but — they can’t bow,” she said. “Some months ago I spoke to an admirable conservative group and said the leaders of the GOP should change their stand. I saw one of their leaders wince, as if I had made a faux pas. Which, I understood, I had. I understood too that terrorism is only making the border issue worse, and something’s got to give.”
