John Kerry says Donald Trump’s Muslim ban call 'endangers national security'
He also hit out at Republicans for disapproving the international climate change agreement
.jpg)
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Secretary of State John Kerry says that Donald Trump’s call to ban Muslims from the United States "endanger national security.”
"It exhibits an attitude by one American who is running for the highest office of our land about a willingness to discriminate against a religion," he said on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos."
"It seems to me that Mr Trump's statement is wholly and totally without recognition of the true American spirit and values and certainly tolerance."
Secretary Kerry also said the proposal was a “very dangerous foreign policy."
"It says to those in Islam who are trying to exploit people and recruit foreign fighters and otherwise, it says look, look at America. Here they've got a guy running for president who is waging war against Islam," Secretary Kerry said on CBS News' "Face the Nation.”
"It's exploitable, whether he intended it or not. And it allows for recruitment. It allows for America to seem like it is indeed discriminatory against Islam, against Muslims."
He also chided Republicans for opposing the climate change agreement that was signed by nearly 200 nations around the world.
"I don't believe you can be elected president of the United States if you don't understand climate change or you're not committed to this kind of a plan," he told ABC, predicting that the American public would not elect a presidential candidate who denies the science of man made climate change.
"I don't think they're going to accept as a genuine leader someone who doesn't understand the science of climate change and isn't willing to do something about it."