White House Says Trumps Muslim Ban Disqualifies Him From Serving as President
Donald Trump's statement that he would ban Muslims from entering the U.S. "disqualifies him from serving as president," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said of the Republican candidate during a press briefing on Tuesday. "What Mr. Trump said is deeply offensive," Earnest said. "It's morally reprehensible. It runs counter to the U.S. Constitution" and threatens national security, he added. Earnest also slammed Trump's campaign as a "carnival barker routine" that was rooted "in the dustbin of history." Earnest said the "question now is about the rest of the Republican party and whether they're going to be dragged into the dustbin of history with him." He called on Republicans to condemn a Trump presidency. "What we need to see is a definitive statement from every candidate for the presidency about whether or not Mr. Trump is somebody they should vote for," he said. "I think their statements about this pledge they have taken to support Mr. Trump will speak volumes, as will the silence" if no one says anything. Earnest is one of many Obama administration officials who have said divisive rhetoric about the Muslim community harms national security, particularly as the U.S. and other world powers seek to fight ISIS. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Monday that discrimination against Muslims in the U.S. is un-American and threatens the country. Trump stood by his comments on Tuesday in the face of broad criticism.