Loading ...Trump: Muslim Ban "Just a suggestion... I'd like to back off on it"
Real Clear Politics
By Tim Hains
“It was never meant to be permanent,” Trump said about his proposal for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the U.S. (until we figure out what is “going on” with “radical Islam”)
“I mean, that’s why it was temporary,” he said.
“Sure I’d back off on it. I’d like to back off it as soon as possible. Because frankly, I’d like to see something happen [to solve the problem].”
After reiterating the threat of radical Islamic terrorism, Trump explained that “right now there is no ban. But I would like to see – there has to be an idea, there has to be something, because there’s some pretty bad things going on.”
Greta Van Susteren also asked about Trump’s immigration plans, including forming a commission to work on his proposed Muslim ban.
“I’m looking at it very strongly with Rudy Giuliani heading it,” Trump said. “I’ve spoken to him a little while ago. We’re going to put together a group of five or six people. Very, very highly thought of people, and I think Rudy will head it up, and we’ll look at the Muslim ban.”
“I have a lot of confidence in Rudy Giuliani,” Trump said.
DONALD TRUMP: There’s a problem the president doesn’t want to talk about. All you have to do is look at the World Trade Center, at San Bernardino, at Paris, and so many other locations. Just last night in Germany, look what happened on the train — it is a big problem.
We’re going to have to solve the problem. I think that by putting together a commission, a group of people that are highly respected in this field, like Rudy… that could lead to something good…
[All Americans and guests] would come back, and it is temporary, and ultimately it is my aim to have it lifted. Right now there is no ban, there has to be something. Because there are some pretty bad things going on… There is something going on and we have to get to the bottom of it. I think by putting five, six, or seven people together with expertise… that would be good… Rudy has agreed to head it up…
Always you have to have exceptions.
GRETA VAN SUSTEREN: Well, the way everyone read it it was across the table.
TRUMP: You’d have exceptions, and ideally you wouldn’t have a ban very long. You just have to find out what is happening. I’m talking about all over the world. Look at Germany — it’s a mess… Something has to happen.
Source: realclearpolitics.com