Members of the National Security Leadership Alliance, or NSLA, a project of the Center for American Progress Action Fund, released the following statements today in response to Donald Trump’s foreign policy speech in Ohio, where the presidential candidate laid out his plan to defeat the Islamic State, or IS, and fight terrorism.
Ambassador Wendy Sherman, former U.S. undersecretary of state for political affairs at the U.S. Department of State, said: “Donald Trump’s reckless and incoherent rant is being heard around the world and is putting Americans in danger at home and abroad. We have troops and diplomats around the world who must face the backlash from his reckless comments. That backlash endangers us at home. Simply by opening his mouth, Donald Trump makes us less safe.”
Juliette Kayyem, former U.S. assistant secretary of homeland security, said: “Today we heard another new modification to Trump’s Muslim ban, but it is an incoherent and unworkable mess. Fighting terrorism and protecting the homeland is a serious business yet Trump just seems to be making it up as he goes along. America’s historic capacity to integrate and welcome immigrant communities has been one of our most effective security policies. Anti-Muslim bigotry is not a counterterrorism strategy.”
Ken Gude, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress Action Fund, said: “Trump’s analysis of the world before 2009 is almost entirely wrong and based on conspiracy theories and lies. His direct attack on “immigrants and the children of immigrants” is a despicable attempt to turn Americans against more than one-third of the population. His plans to keep Americans safe boil down to trying to keep as many people out of America as possible. It is a rejection of what has made America great.”
The following experts are available to comment on this topic:
Angela Maria Kelley, Executive Director, Center for American Progress Action Fund
Ken Gude, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress Action Fund
The National Security Leadership Alliance is led by Co-Chairs Madeleine Albright, Gen. John Allen, Tom Donilon, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), Eric Holder, Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), Leon Panetta, and Adm. James Stavridis, as well as vice chairs with unparalleled experience at the highest levels of civilian and military service. By providing policy-focused rapid response work, the NSLA promotes a progressive vision of national security that rejects a reckless use of American power and embraces our ability to lead the world toward peace, stability, justice, and opportunity.
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Beatriz Lopez at 202-741-6255 or [email protected].