President Donald Trump has released a statement following the widespread response to his executive order about immigration. In the statement, Donald c
President Donald Trump has released a statement following the widespread response to his executive order about immigration. In the statement, Donald compared the new policy to one of Barack Obama‘s and criticized the media for calling it a ‘Muslim ban.’
In the statement, he said,
“America is a proud nation of immigrants and we will continue to show compassion to those fleeing oppression, but we will do so while protecting our own citizens and border. America has always been the land of the free and home of the brave. We will keep it free and keep it safe, as the media knows, but refuses to say. My policy is similar to what President Obama did in 2011 when he banned visas for refugees from Iraq for six months. The seven countries named in the Executive Order are the same countries previously identified by the Obama administration as sources of terror. To be clear, this is not a Muslim ban, as the media is falsely reporting. This is not about religion – this is about terror and keeping our country safe. There are over 40 different countries worldwide that are majority Muslim that are not affected by this order. We will again be issuing visas to all countries once we are sure we have reviewed and implemented the most secure policies over the next 90 days. I have tremendous feeling for the people involved in this horrific humanitarian crisis in Syria. My first priority will always be to protect and serve our country, but as President I will find ways to help all those who are suffering.”
However former President Barack Obama has criticized the President’s executive order, backing protesters who have taken to the nation’s airports to express their displeasure with Trump’s action on Friday.
“The President fundamentally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion,” said Kevin Lewis, spokesman for the former president, in a statement. Lewis added that Obama feels the individuals protesting are exactly what we expect to see when American values are at stake.”
This is the first time Obama, who ceded power to Trump about 10 days ago, has criticized the current president, breaking with an unwritten rule that former presidents refrain from criticizing the current White House occupant. It is also the former president’s first statement since leaving the White House.
The statement also rejected the comparison between a 2011 temporary immigration order by Obama that halted Iraqis coming to the US and the broader ban by the Trump administration on citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries. Former presidents walk a fine line between staying political engaged and avoiding knocking their successor. President George W. Bush, for example, remained markedly silent on politics during Obama’s eight years in office. But Obama’s relationship with Trump is different, and Monday’s statement made clear that the former president will stay engaged and outspoken on political action.
