Factsheets
Trump’s Immigration Proposal: The Inevitable Progression from the GOP Field’s Agenda and Rhetoric
Donald Trump has ignited a firestorm with his disturbing proposal to ban all Muslims from entering the United States. As Hillary Clinton said today, “At a time when America should be doing everything we can to fight radical jihadists, Mr. Trump is supplying them with new propaganda. He’s playing right into their hands.”
Some Republican primary contenders are now trying to score points by distancing themselves from Trump’s latest toxic proposal, but they might have some trouble with that. Because the truth is, there isn’t all that much distance.
Every single Republican candidate has vowed to support Trump if he wins the GOP nomination, and not one has backed away from that pledge, even in the wake of his un-American plan to apply a religious litmus test to everyone entering the United States. Moreover, across the board, Republicans have embraced similar rhetoric and policies in the course of this campaign.
Clinton said it best herself: “When you take a step back and see what the Republican field says about Muslims – not just one or two candidates for President, but nearly all of them – it’s hard to take seriously their attempts to distance themselves from Mr. Trump. He’s just articulating the logical conclusion of what the rest of them have been saying. As Mr. Trump said in an interview this morning, ‘They condemn practically everything I say, and then they always come to my side.’”
Take a look:
Ted Cruz introduced legislation that would bar refugees from entering the United States from countries with a large terrorist organization presence. He’s called President Obama “an apologist for radical Islamic terrorists.” And pressed on Trump’s proposal, he said, “I do not believe the world needs my voice added to that chorus of critics.”
Marco Rubio invoked Nazis to attack Hillary Clinton for not saying “radical Islamic terrorism” and asked “Where is there widespread evidence that we have a problem in America with discrimination against Muslims?”
Jeb Bush previously called for a religious test on Syrian refugees, explaining, “You’re a Christian – I mean, you can prove you’re a Christian,” he said. “You can’t prove it, then, you know, you err on the side of caution.”
Ben Carson said in an analogy about Syrian refugees, “If there is a rabid dog running around your neighborhood, you’re probably not going to assume something good about that dog.” He also said “I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that.”
Chris Christie on Syrian refugees: “I don’t think orphans under five…should be admitted into the United States at this point.”
Rand Paul introduced legislation to ban refugees from Syria and up to 30 other countries with “jihadist movements” and would institute a 30-day waiting period on entries into the United States including from France. And he said, “I’ve called for something similar” to Trump’s plan.
John Kasich previously “proposed creating a new government agency to push Judeo-Christian values around the world.”
Carly Fiorina said we should “stop the flow of Syrian refugees” into the US.
Mike Huckabee said regarding Syrian refugees: “It’s time to wake up and smell the falafel. … We are importing terrorism.”
Rick Santorum said Muslims from “specific countries” shouldn’t be allowed for the time being.
Ultimately, Trump’s latest proposal is disturbing, wrong and dangerous, but not shocking, given where the rest of the field stands.
For the truly adventurous, the well-informed, and political nerds who love tests and quizzes, and lest you think Trump is the only dangerous GOP candidate, there is this.
Who said it: Donald Trump or not Donald Trump?
Dec 9, 2015 by Rob Flaherty
This quiz is (terrifyingly) harder than you’d think.
Trump's fellow candidates might try to distance themselves from him—but when it comes to hateful rhetoric, it's difficult to tell the difference between the Republicans running for president.
See how well you do. >>>>>
