The 2016 Republican presidential field was quick to condemn party front-runner Donald Trump’s proposal Monday to prohibit Muslims from entering the U.S., calling the billionaire “unhinged” and “dangerous.”
Within minutes of reports on Trump’s proposal, which his campaign manager later confirmed includes banning Muslim tourists from visiting the country, most White House hopefuls had taken to Twitter or Facebook to express their disapproval.
Donald Trump is unhinged. His “policy” proposals are not serious.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) December 7, 2015
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham also called on “every candidate for president. … to do the right thing [and] condemn [Trump’s] statement.”
.@Realdonaldtrump has gone from making absurd comments to being downright dangerous with his bombastic rhetoric.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 7, 2015
Businesswoman Carly Fiorina reportedly said Trump’s “over reaction is as dangerous as Obama’s under reaction.”
And New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie weighed in during a radio interview on “The Michael Medved Show.”
“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.
He added, “We do not need to endorse that type of activity, nor should we. You do not need to be banning Muslims from the country. That’s, in my view, that’s a ridiculous position and one that won’t even be productive.”
Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who’s come to Trump’s defense following some of his other controversial gaffes, told ABC he’d “never” seek to ban a group from entering the U.S. “based on their religion,” but that all individuals visiting or emigrating to the country should be “registered and monitored.”
Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who’s launched attack ads against Trump in recent weeks, sent out the following statement regarding the real estate mogul’s proposal: “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.”
Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum reportedly told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt he doesn’t support “a ban on all Muslims coming to the U.S., but [he] understand[s] why Donald Trump is saying what he’s saying.”
A spokesperson for Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul’s presidential campaign declined to speak directly to Trump’s proposal, pointing instead to an amendment introduced by Paul earlier this month that suggested barring visitors and immigrants from “nations with known radical elements” from entering the country until “a new system is developed to screen properly.” The amendment failed 10-89 to pass the U.S. Senate.
