Donald Trump made a personal brand out of starting controversial topics, and he recently stirred the waters (again) with an unlikely declaration from a presidential candidate.
In summary, Trump asked for the United States to bar all Muslims from entering American soil. The idea, which appeases hate groups more than everyone else, is in line with the resentful anti-immigrant rhetoric which was a strong pillar in Trump's unusual campaign.
"Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on," the mogul declared.
The proposal was rapidly dismissed by rival candidates from the Republican and Democratic Party alike. Some Republicans were quick to distance themselves from the extremist declaration.
Ex-governor of Florida and current rival for the upcoming GOP, Jeb Bush, shut down his colleague's plans.
Donald Trump is unhinged. His "policy" proposals are not serious.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) December 7, 2015
Hillary Clinton, one of the strong GOP candidates from the Democrats, qualified the declaration as "reprehensible, prejudiced and divisive."
This is reprehensible, prejudiced and divisive. @RealDonaldTrump, you don't get it. This makes us less safe. -H https://t.co/SjAqL0clHd — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 7, 2015
It might be worth mentioning that the flaming statement happened in the aftermath of President Barack Obama's appeal to tolerance. The president in office underlined that fighting terrorism should not be transformed into "a war between America and Islam."
Muslim-American organizations expressed their outrage, as well.
"Mr. Trump's anti-Muslim immigration proposal is disappointing, unconstitutional, and empowers extremist ideology," national spokesperson for Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, Qasim Rashid, declared.
Trump's idea is not only outlandish, but also vague. Questions about its applicability emerged instantly, with the most important being the question of which Muslims would be subject to the ban.
Does the selective access apply to U.S. citizens who are Muslims and travel abroad, or to business partners and citizens from friendly Muslim states? How would these people be filtered?
Corey Lewandowski, the campaign manager for Trump, told the media that all Muslims will get the same treatment. Trump elaborated in an interview that Muslim military personnel and people who live inside the U.S. would not be barred from entering the "Land of the Free."
"[The ban] would not only violate international law but do so by embracing open discrimination against one religion," Jonathan Turley, a constitutional law expert, noted.
Against common sense, the contentious declaration by Trump might fuel his rise to the position of official Republican candidate for the U.S. presidency.
"I thought long ago that things he said woulhurt his prospects, and he continues to go up," Sen. John McCain of Arizona, affirmed.
