Fiery Trump, sober Clinton at odds over attack

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Donald Trump vowed Monday to impose a broad ban on immigration from areas of the world with a history of terrorism and suggested some Muslims in the United States are turning a blind eye to unfolding plots, as he outlined an aggressive response to the deadly attack in Orlando.

Hillary Clinton, Trump’s presidential rival, was more measured in her own remarks, warning that demonizing all Muslims for the actions of a few would only benefit extremist groups. She pointedly blamed American partners in the Middle East – Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar – for not stopping terror funding emanating from their countries and called for tougher gun-control legislation in the U.S., including outlawing assault weapons like one used by the Orlando shooter.

“I believe weapons of war have no place on our streets,” Clinton said. Though she drew implicit contrasts with Trump, she never mentioned him by name, saying “Today is not a day for politics.”

Trump clearly disagreed, criticizing Clinton harshly and often.

The two candidates’ dramatically different proposals – as well as their contrasting styles – underscored the clear choice Americans face in the November election. Democrat Clinton’s vision builds on President Barack Obama’s campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and expands on his gun control executive orders, while Republican Trump is calling for a drastically different national security posture.

Though the Orlando shooter was born in the U.S., Trump continued to propose sweeping changes to the nation’s immigration rules as the cornerstone of his anti-terror plan.

He redoubled his previous call for a temporary ban on Muslims coming to the U.S., saying that policy would stay in place until the government can “properly and perfectly” screen immigrants. Going further, he also said he would use presidential discretion to “suspend immigration from areas of the world where there’s a proven history of terrorism against the United States, Europe and our allies.”

The businessman did not specify what countries would be affected or whether the suspension would apply regardless of religion. Trump’s campaign did not respond to multiple requests to clarify whether his new language would replace the proposed Muslim ban and whether it would apply to potential immigrants from countries such as Ireland, Israel and Belgium that have faced attacks.

Clinton said such proposals would only make it more difficult for law enforcement to work with Muslim communities.

“Inflammatory anti-Muslim rhetoric and threatening to ban the families and friends of Muslim Americans, as well as millions of Muslim business people and tourists from entering our country, hurts the vast majority of Muslims who love freedom and hate terror,” she said.

Trump pledged to protect all Americans “wherever they come from, wherever they were born.” He also said gays and lesbians are often discriminated against in the Muslim world, and said Clinton could not claim to be an ally of the LGBT community if she supports immigration from such countries.