Following Donald Trump’s proposal to bar Muslims from entering the United States, the Democratic front-runner penned a lengthy open letter to American Muslims, expressing her support for their community and her distain for her GOP counterpart.
In the letter entitled, “No, Donald Trump, Were not barring Muslims from entering the country; And a message to Muslims,” Clinton claims that Trump’s words are supplying jihadists with “new propaganda” and “playing right into their hands.”
The former secretary of state also claimed that all of the other GOP candidates closely echo Trump and cannot be taken seriously. According to Clinton, such rhetoric “sets us back in the fight against radical jihadists” that must be “defeated.”
“And the vast majority of Muslims here and abroad are on our side in this fight. Many are helping prevent radicalization, including here at home. So why would anyone suggest that they’re the enemy? How does that help us?” Clinton wrote. “Radical jihadists are telling people that the United States hates Muslims—and there’s Donald Trump on TV screaming about how he’s going to keep all Muslims out. He’s strengthening the terrorists’ argument.”
Echoing President Obama, Clinton argued this takes “aim at our values.” In order to make the United States a stronger nation, the candidate encouraged Americans to ignore hateful rhetoric and spread the message that all men and women are created equal.
“To Muslim Americans: What you’re hearing from Trump and other Republicans is absolutely, unequivocally wrong. It’s inconsistent with our values as a nation—a nation which you are helping to build,” she said. “This is your country, too. I’m proud to be your fellow American. And many, many other Americans feel the same way.”
