Reactions to Trump's plan to bar Muslims from entering US
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Here's what some presidential contenders, members of both parties and others are saying about Donald Trump's call to bar Muslims from entering the U.S.
___
"Donald Trump is unhinged. His 'policy' proposals are not serious."
-- Jeb Bush, former Florida governor and GOP candidate for president, via Twitter.
__
"Well, that is not my policy. I've introduced legislation in the Senate that would put in place a three-year moratorium on refugees coming from countries where ISIS or al-Qaida control a substantial amount of territory. And the reason is that's where the threat is coming from."
-- Ted Cruz, Texas senator and GOP candidate for president.
___
"There are folks in this race who don't care about what the law says because they're used to being able to just fire people indiscriminately on television. So, they don't have to worry about what laws say or not say."
-- Chris Christie, New Jersey governor and GOP candidate for president.
___
"Trump's overreaction is as dangerous as President Obama's under-reaction."
-- Carly Fiorina, former technology executive and GOP candidate for president.
___
"Everyone visiting our country should register and be monitored during their stay as is done in many countries. I do not and would not advocate being selective on one's religion."
-- Ben Carson, retired neurosurgeon and GOP candidate for president.
___
I think this whole notion that we can just say no more Muslims, and just ban a whole religion goes against everything we stand for and believe in. Religious freedom has been a very important part of our history and where we came from. ... It's a mistaken notion.
-- Dick Cheney, former vice president, speaking with radio host Hugh Hewitt.
___
"That does not reflect serious thought. Just when you think he can't stoop lower, he does."
-- Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake.
___
"As a conservative who truly cares about religious liberty, Donald Trump's bad idea and rhetoric send a shiver down my spine. American exceptionalism means always defending our inalienable rights, not attacking them when it's politically convenient."
-- Matt Moore, chairman of the Republican Party of South Carolina, via Twitter.
___
"There are some issues that transcend politics. While my position is certainly political, I am an American first. There should never be a day in the United States of America when people are excluded based solely on their race or religion. It is un-Republican. It is unconstitutional. And it is un-American."
-- Jennifer Horn, chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Hampshire.
___
"Is Trump talking about Muslim-American citizens? If so, the right to enter one's country of citizenship is an internationally guaranteed human right."
-- Leti Volpp, an expert on immigration law at the University of California at Berkeley.
___
"You have an issue with people coming in. Imagine it's a human body and you have this thing that's entering the body breaking it down and creating illnesses. All he is saying is don't let anything else in right now and fix the problem before we do. It shouldn't be religion-related, but unfortunately it is religion-related."
--Trump supporter John Metzer, who works in real estate in Atlanta, at a Trump rally Monday night in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
___
"Anyone who cares an iota about religious liberty will denounce the reckless, demagogic @realDonaldTrump plan for Muslims."
-- Russell Moore, president of the ethics and religious liberty commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, via Twitter.
___
"This is reprehensible, prejudiced and divisive. @realDonaldTrump, you don't get it. This makes us less safe."
-- Hillary Clinton, former secretary of state and Democratic candidate for president, via Twitter.
___
"Demagogues throughout our history have attempted to divide us based on race, gender, sexual orientation or country of origin. Now, Trump and others want us to hate all Muslims. The United States is a great nation when we stand together. We are a weak nation when we allow racism and xenophobia to divide us."
-- Bernie Sanders, Vermont senator and Democratic candidate for president.
___
"I thought long ago that things he said would hurt his prospects, and he continues to go up."
-- Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who called Trump's plan "just foolish."