A visibly disgusted Gov. Charlie Baker condemned fellow Republican Donald Trump's call for a "complete and total ban" on Muslims entering the U.S. yesterday, even as new details emerged that Islamic extremists have considered using the refugee program to infiltrate the country.
"I was literally just finishing a wonderful ceremony at the State House lighting a menorah, which is all about religious freedom and democracy and liberty, and I just thought it's completely inappropriate," Baker said last night.
"It runs against what I think was sort of one of the founding principles of this country, which is religious tolerance, religious freedom," Baker added. "I think it's the wrong thing to do and the wrong message to send, especially this time of year. I think the notion ... is simply ridiculous."
Baker at first started to walk away after answering a question on Trump's proposal, then turned back and asked to see a printout of the New York real estate mogul's full statement.
"I can't believe that I'm reading this," Baker fumed after angrily flicking the page.
Trump yesterday proposed "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on."
He tweeted right after: "Just put out a very important policy statement on the extraordinary influx of hatred & danger coming into our country. We must be vigilant!"
Cambridge City Councilor Nadeem Mazen, the only Muslim in elected office in Massachusetts, said Trump's comments are counter to fundamental American values of welcoming immigrants at places like Ellis Island.
"I'm not even sure someone like Trump believes in what he's saying," said Mazen, suggesting the GOP front-runner may just be trying to score points with his supporters.
"In the end, a candidate that is so callously and nakedly fascist and bigoted is not electable in the United States in 2015, even as the Republican candidate. Mainstream Americans won't elect such a person."
Mazen said Trump's popularity is also being fueled by intense media attention the former reality star receives whenever he makes extreme comments.
The latest Trump brouhaha comes as U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) yesterday revealed part of a classified letter from the National Counterterrorism Center claiming the agency has identified "individuals with ties to terrorist groups in Syria attempting to gain entry to the U.S. through the U.S. refugee program," according to a report from The Hill.
That revelation could bolster some Republicans' claims that ISIS terrorists masquerading as refugees could slip across America's borders.
Chris Galdieri, a political science professor at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., said Trump's new message is an attempt to rally his base.
"This is basically the maximum possible position on Muslim immigration," said Galdieri. "What he's doing is essentially starting an arms race. He's daring other candidates to go as far as he has and anyone who hasn't ... looks like they're offering up half-measures."
Fellow GOP White House hopefuls quickly slammed Trump's plan.
"This is the kind of thing that people say when they have no experience and don't know what they're talking about," said New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush called Trump "unhinged." Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio said he disagreed with Trump and that his "outlandish" statements won't unite America.
Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who has been reluctant to attack Trump, said simply: "That's not my plan."
O'Ryan Johnson contributed to this report.
(c)2015 the Boston Herald
