by Julie Boler
 | Listening to Donald Trump's remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast today, I considered the concerns that seem to drive some of the key players camped out in the Oval Office these days. |
We know who they are, and from whence they came. As Trump spoke, some things about them fell into place for me. Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller aren't terrified of terrorism, they are terrified of Sharia law.
We already know this, of course. They are downright paranoid about it. But it hadn't occured to me that they might have more apprehension about an overrun of non-violent, educated, middle-class Muslims, than of fire-breathing bad actors from the same faith. They wouldn't dream of presenting such a priority of anxiety to mainstream society, but by embedding into Trump's remarks a few too many dog-whistles to the farther reaches, they have shown their hand. And I wonder if they "bungled" the roll out of the Executive Order partly to begin prepping people for their fight against what they see as the real Muslim menace.
It has been said by some mighty smart folks that the reason for the shocking implementation of this . . . pause, was to soften resistance to the also severe vetting they plan to put in place permanently. They know that the harsh new immigration and refugee policies they have in mind would have been unacceptable to many Americans if they'd started from that place. By starting with something more outrageous first, any stepping back they do makes them look like the picture of reasonableness.
If they meant only to temporarily tighten restrictions in order for this new administration to have a chance to evaluate and strengthen our current policies, the suspension would have been placed on the giving out of visas to new applicants, not turning away those who have already been screened and awarded one. They would have called a halt to the refugee process at the application or vetting stages, not turned away those who have gone through a year or more of vetting and been approved to enter the country.
I don't think any of us are deluded about the smarts and awareness of this crew. They know that so-called homegrown American terrorists, radicalized from afar, are much more a threat to our national security than the spectre of a trained member of ISIL pulling off a pose as a desperate family man from Syria, successfully maintaining that posture for a year and a half, somehow producing documentation of his stable and non-violent past, and infiltrating the country to set up a cell. So is it really the Radical. Islamic. Terrorists. of which they are most afraid?
They know the citizenry is. And they probably do have some fear of foreign terrorists hitting our soil. But I wonder if that fear isn't overshadowed by a greater fear, of all Muslims, the terrorists, sure, but also the families, community leaders, and professionals. Using their drastic move over the weekend, Trump and company were able to do more than just set folks up for a new level of screening. They were also able to plant the seed that we should be looking as hard at the Middle Eastern traveler who easily and appropriately passes the screening for a visa as we are at the the one with the trappings of the duplicitous bomb-maker. By following the intensity of the first move with a willingness to make common sense adjustments, they've turned rejection of acceptable applicants into the norm, and providing waivers into the exception.
It came over me that it's the respectable Muslim with a visa that they are really afraid of. They see a threat in the reputable Syrian doctor, outspoken about her love of America and desire to live here. They fear the influence of the visiting imam from Iran, coming to mentor a protege. They distrust the Yemeni academic arriving for speaking engagements. A Somalian scientist, attending a conference. An Iranian CEO traveling here for business. Could these actually be the Middle Eastern influences that our new Executive Branch sees as the greatest threat to our way of life?
Amidst all the flak the Trump administration took for the ostensible sloppiness of launching this Executive Order, and the supposed oversight of failing to include key players in its planning, Kelly Ann Conway immediately made the rounds to clarify that no, actually, we've been planning this for months. Many of us had a reaction of, then why did it go so wrong? followed by, did it really go wrong? But today I've fallen into a loop of thoughts that I don't recognize, that are usually repugnant to me: "could this be more of a long-game play than it looks like, even at a second or third glance? Could this all be part of a dark and carefully orchestrated 'big plan'? Come on, Julie."
One of the reasons most conspiracy theories lack credibility is that they suppose such machinations could be carefully planned and kept secret by legions of people from various fields across numerous borders. In reality, to pull off something so impactful, with far-reaching international implications, sure to spur outrage and major push back, the conspiring would have to be done in a tight inner circle, wouldn't it? It would have to be a circle made up of folks who each had a deep appetite for brazen power plays. The group in on it could not include cooler-headed bureaucrats. Any information would have to be shared only on a need-to-know basis, with needing to know being strictly defined. The plan's success would be dependent on a set of architects who were ascendant, driven, and single-minded. It would have to be sprung suddenly on the less ferocious players needed to institute it. The same radical-first-move-reasonable-second-move manipulation aimed at the general public would also have to be used on the level-headed administrator and the front-line official. So.
Oh my. How could remarks at a prayer breakfast by a very green, socially inept president lead me down such a path? Check out the speech, then you tell me.
(video followed by transcript)
We already know this, of course. They are downright paranoid about it. But it hadn't occured to me that they might have more apprehension about an overrun of non-violent, educated, middle-class Muslims, than of fire-breathing bad actors from the same faith. They wouldn't dream of presenting such a priority of anxiety to mainstream society, but by embedding into Trump's remarks a few too many dog-whistles to the farther reaches, they have shown their hand. And I wonder if they "bungled" the roll out of the Executive Order partly to begin prepping people for their fight against what they see as the real Muslim menace.
It has been said by some mighty smart folks that the reason for the shocking implementation of this . . . pause, was to soften resistance to the also severe vetting they plan to put in place permanently. They know that the harsh new immigration and refugee policies they have in mind would have been unacceptable to many Americans if they'd started from that place. By starting with something more outrageous first, any stepping back they do makes them look like the picture of reasonableness.
If they meant only to temporarily tighten restrictions in order for this new administration to have a chance to evaluate and strengthen our current policies, the suspension would have been placed on the giving out of visas to new applicants, not turning away those who have already been screened and awarded one. They would have called a halt to the refugee process at the application or vetting stages, not turned away those who have gone through a year or more of vetting and been approved to enter the country.
I don't think any of us are deluded about the smarts and awareness of this crew. They know that so-called homegrown American terrorists, radicalized from afar, are much more a threat to our national security than the spectre of a trained member of ISIL pulling off a pose as a desperate family man from Syria, successfully maintaining that posture for a year and a half, somehow producing documentation of his stable and non-violent past, and infiltrating the country to set up a cell. So is it really the Radical. Islamic. Terrorists. of which they are most afraid?
They know the citizenry is. And they probably do have some fear of foreign terrorists hitting our soil. But I wonder if that fear isn't overshadowed by a greater fear, of all Muslims, the terrorists, sure, but also the families, community leaders, and professionals. Using their drastic move over the weekend, Trump and company were able to do more than just set folks up for a new level of screening. They were also able to plant the seed that we should be looking as hard at the Middle Eastern traveler who easily and appropriately passes the screening for a visa as we are at the the one with the trappings of the duplicitous bomb-maker. By following the intensity of the first move with a willingness to make common sense adjustments, they've turned rejection of acceptable applicants into the norm, and providing waivers into the exception.
It came over me that it's the respectable Muslim with a visa that they are really afraid of. They see a threat in the reputable Syrian doctor, outspoken about her love of America and desire to live here. They fear the influence of the visiting imam from Iran, coming to mentor a protege. They distrust the Yemeni academic arriving for speaking engagements. A Somalian scientist, attending a conference. An Iranian CEO traveling here for business. Could these actually be the Middle Eastern influences that our new Executive Branch sees as the greatest threat to our way of life?
Amidst all the flak the Trump administration took for the ostensible sloppiness of launching this Executive Order, and the supposed oversight of failing to include key players in its planning, Kelly Ann Conway immediately made the rounds to clarify that no, actually, we've been planning this for months. Many of us had a reaction of, then why did it go so wrong? followed by, did it really go wrong? But today I've fallen into a loop of thoughts that I don't recognize, that are usually repugnant to me: "could this be more of a long-game play than it looks like, even at a second or third glance? Could this all be part of a dark and carefully orchestrated 'big plan'? Come on, Julie."
One of the reasons most conspiracy theories lack credibility is that they suppose such machinations could be carefully planned and kept secret by legions of people from various fields across numerous borders. In reality, to pull off something so impactful, with far-reaching international implications, sure to spur outrage and major push back, the conspiring would have to be done in a tight inner circle, wouldn't it? It would have to be a circle made up of folks who each had a deep appetite for brazen power plays. The group in on it could not include cooler-headed bureaucrats. Any information would have to be shared only on a need-to-know basis, with needing to know being strictly defined. The plan's success would be dependent on a set of architects who were ascendant, driven, and single-minded. It would have to be sprung suddenly on the less ferocious players needed to institute it. The same radical-first-move-reasonable-second-move manipulation aimed at the general public would also have to be used on the level-headed administrator and the front-line official. So.
Oh my. How could remarks at a prayer breakfast by a very green, socially inept president lead me down such a path? Check out the speech, then you tell me.
(video followed by transcript)
(Trump introduced by Mark Burnett, producer of The Apprentice TV show.)
TRUMP: Thank you, Mark. So nice.
(APPLAUSE)
Thank you very much, thank you. (APPLAUSE)
Thank you very much, it’s a great honor to be here this morning. And so many faith leaders — very, very important people to me — from across our magnificent nation, and so many leaders from all across the globe. Today we continue a tradition begun by President Eisenhower some 64 years ago.
This gathering is a testament to the power of faith and is one of the great customs of our nation. And I hope to be here seven more times with you.
(APPLAUSE)
I want very much to thank our co-chair Senator Boozman and Senator Coons. And all of the congressional leadership; they’re all over the place. We have a lot of very distinguished guests. And we have one guest who was just sworn in last night, Rex Tillerson, secretary of state.
(APPLAUSE)
Gonna do a great job.
(APPLAUSE)
Some people didn’t like Rex because he actually got along with leaders of the world. I said, no, you have to understand that’s a good thing. That’s a good thing, not a bad thing. He’s respected all over the world and I think he’s going to go down as one of our great, great secretaries.
We appreciate it.
Thank you, thank you, Rex.
(APPLAUSE)
Thank you as well to Senate Chaplain Barry Black, for his moving words. And I don’t know Chaplain whether or not that’s an appointed position — is that an appointed position? I don’t even know if you’re Democrat or if you’re Republican, but I’m appointing you for another year, the hell with it.
(LAUGHTER)
And I think it’s not even my appointment, it’s the Senate’s appointment, but we’ll talk to them. You’re very — you’re — your son is here. Your job is very, very secure. OK?
(LAUGHTER)
Thank you, Barry. Appreciate it very much.
I also want to thank my great friends the Roma. Where’s Roma, beautiful Roma Downey, the voice of an angel. She’s got the voice — every time I hear that voice; it’s so beautiful. That — everything is so beautiful about Roma, including her husband because he’s a special, special friend. Mark Burnett for the wonderful introduction.
So true, so true. I said to the agent, I’m sorry, the only thing wrong — I actually got on the phone and fired him myself because he said, you don’t want to do it, it’ll never work, it’ll never, ever work, you don’t want to do it. I said, listen. When I really fired him after it became the number one show, it became so successful and he wanted a commission and he didn’t want to this.
That’s when I really said — but we had tremendous success on The Apprentice. And when I ran for president, I had to leave the show. That’s when I knew for sure that I was doing it. And they hired a big, big movie star, Arnold Schwarzenegger, to take my place. And we know how that turned out.
The ratings went down the tubes. It’s been a total disaster and Mark will never, ever bet against Trump again. And I want to just pray for Arnold if we can, for those ratings, OK?
(LAUGHTER)
But we’ve had an amazing life together the last 14, 15 years. And a — an outstanding man and thank you very much for introducing. Appreciate it. It’s a great honor.
(APPLAUSE)
TRUMP: I also want to thank my dear friend, Vice President Mike Pence, who has been incredible.
(APPLAUSE)
And incredible wife, Karen.
And every time I was in a little trouble with something where they were questioning me, they’d say, “But he picked Mike Pence.”
(LAUGHTER)
“So he has to know what he’s doing.”
(LAUGHTER)
And it’s true, he’s been — you know on the scale of zero to 10, I rate him a 12, OK?
So I wanna thank you, thank you very much, appreciate it.
(APPLAUSE)
But most importantly, today I wanna thank the American people. Your faith and prayers have sustained me and inspired me through some very, very tough times. All around America, I have met amazing people whose words of worship and encouragement have been a constant source of strength.
What I hear most often as I travel the country are five words that never, ever fail to touch my heart, that’s “I am praying for you.” I hear it so often, “I am praying for you, Mr. President.”
(APPLAUSE)
No one has inspired me more in my travels than the families of the United States military. Men and women who have put their lives on the line everyday for their country and their countrymen. I just came back yesterday, from Dover Air Force Base, to join the family of Chief William “Ryan” Owens as America’s fallen hero was returned home.
Very, very sad, but very, very beautiful, very, very beautiful. His family was there, incredible family, loved him so much, so devastated, they were so devastated, but the ceremony was amazing. He died in defense of our nation. He gave his life in defense of our people. Our debt to him and our debt to his family is eternal and everlasting. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
We will never forget the men and women who wear the uniform, believe me.
(APPLAUSE)
Thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
From generation to generation, their vigilance has kept our liberty alive. Our freedom is won by their sacrifice and our security has been earned with their sweat and blood and tears. God has blessed this land to give us such incredible heroes and patriots. They are very, very special and we are going to take care of them.
(APPLAUSE)
Our soldiers understand that what matters is not party or ideology or creed, but the bonds of loyalty that link us all together as one. America is a nation of believers. In towns all across our land, it’s plain to see what we easily forget — so easily we forget this, that the quality of our lives is not defined by our material success, but by our spiritual success.
I will tell you that and I tell you that from somebody that has had material success and knows tremendous numbers of people with great material success, the most material success. Many of those people are very, very miserable, unhappy people.
And I know a lot of people without that, but they have great families. They have great faith; they don’t have money, at least, not nearly to the extent. And they’re happy. Those, to me, are the successful people, I have to tell you.
(APPLAUSE)
TRUMP: I was blessed to be raised in a churched home. My mother and father taught me that to whom much is given, much is expected. I was sworn in on the very Bible from which my mother would teach us as young children, and that faith lives on in my heart every single day.
The people in this room come from many, many backgrounds. You represent so many religions and so many views. But we are all united by our faith, in our creator and our firm knowledge that we are all equal in His eyes. We are not just flesh and bone and blood, we are human beings with souls. Our republic was formed on the basis that freedom is not a gift from government, but that freedom is a gift from God.
(APPLAUSE)
It was the great Thomas Jefferson who said, the God who gave us life, gave us liberty. Jefferson asked, can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God. Among those freedoms is the right to worship according to our own beliefs. That is why I will get rid of and totally destroy the Johnson Amendment and allow our representatives of faith to speak freely and without fear of retribution. I will do that, remember.
(APPLAUSE)
Freedom of religion is a sacred right, but it is also a right under threat all around us, and the world is under serious, serious threat in so many different ways. And I’ve never seen it so much and so openly as since I took the position of president.
The world is in trouble, but we’re going to straighten it out. OK? That’s what I do. I fix things. We’re going to straighten it out.
(APPLAUSE)
Believe me. When you hear about the tough phone calls I’m having, don’t worry about it. Just don’t worry about it. They’re tough. We have to tough. It’s time we’re going to be a little tough folks. We’re taken advantage of by every nation in the world, virtually. It’s not going to happen anymore. It’s not going to happen anymore. We have seen unimaginable violence carried out in the name of religion. Acts of wantonness (ph) (inaudible) just minorities. Horrors on a scale that defy description.
Terrorism is a fundamental threat to religious freedom. It must be stopped and it will be stopped. It may not be pretty for a little while. It will be stopped. We have seen…
(APPLAUSE)
And by the way, General, as you know James “Mad Dog”, shouldn’t say it in this room, Mattis, now there’s a reason they call him “Mad Dog” Mattis, never lost a battle, always wins them, and always wins them fast. He’s our new secretary of Defense, will be working with Rex. He’s right now in South Korea, going to Japan, going to some other spots. I’ll tell you what, I’ve gotten to know him really well. He’s the real deal. We have somebody who’s the real deal working for us and that’s what we need. So, you watch. You just watch.
(APPLAUSE)
Things will be different. We have seen peace loving Muslims brutalize, victimize, murdered and oppressed by ISIS killers. We have seen threats of extermination against the Jewish people. We have seen a campaign of ISIS and genocide against Christians, where they cut of heads. Not since the Middle Ages have we seen that. We haven’t seen that, the cutting off of heads. Now they cut off the heads, they drown people in steel cages. Haven’t seen this. I haven’t seen this. Nobody’s seen this for many, many years.
TRUMP: All nations have a moral obligation to speak out against such violence. All nations have a duty to work together to confront it and to confront it viciously if we have to.
So I want to express clearly today, to the American people, that my administration will do everything in its power to defend and protect religious liberty in our land. America must forever remain a tolerant society where all face are respected and where all of our citizens can feel safe and secure.
We have to feel safe and secure. In recent days, we have begun to take necessary action to achieve that goal. Our nation has the most generous immigration system in the world. But these are those and there are those that would exploit that generosity to undermine the values that we hold so dear. We need security.
There are those who would seek to enter our country for the purpose of spreading violence, or oppressing other people based upon their faith or their lifestyle, not right. We will not allow a beachhead of intolerance to spread in our nation. You look all over the world and you see what’s happening.
So in the coming days, we will develop a system to help ensure that those admitted into our country fully embrace our values of religious and personal liberty. And that they reject any form of oppression and discrimination. We want people to come into our nation, but we want people to love us and to love our values, not to hate us and to hate our values.
We will be a safe country, we will be a free country and we will be a country where all citizens can practice their beliefs without fear of hostility or a fear of violence. America will flourish, as long as our liberty, and in particular, our religious liberty is allowed to flourish.
(APPLAUSE)
America will succeed, as long as our most vulnerable citizens — and we have some that are so vulnerable — have a path to success. And America will thrive, as long as we continue to have faith in each other and faith in God.
(APPLAUSE)
That faith in God has inspired men and women to sacrifice for the needy, to deploy to wars overseas and to lock arms at home, to ensure equal rights for every man, woman and child in our land. It’s that faith that sent the pilgrims across the oceans, the pioneers across the plains and the young people all across America, to chase their dreams. They are chasing their dreams. We are going to bring those dreams back.
As long as we have God, we are never, ever alone. Whether it’s the soldier on the night watch, or the single parent on the night shift, God will always give us solace and strength, and comfort. We need to carry on and to keep carrying on.
For us here in Washington, we must never, ever stop asking God for the wisdom to serve the public, according to his will. That’s why…
(APPLAUSE)
Thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
That’s why President Eisenhower and Senator Carlson had the wisdom to gather together 64 years ago, to begin this truly great tradition. But that’s not all they did together. Lemme tell you the rest of the story.
Just one year later, Senator Carlson was among the members of Congress to send to the president’s desk a joint resolution that added, “Under God,” to our Pledge of Allegiance. It’s a great thing.
(APPLAUSE)
Because that’s what we are and that is what we will always be and that is what our people want; one beautiful nation, under God.
Thank you, God bless you and God bless America. Thank you very much. Thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
Thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
TRUMP: Thank you, Mark. So nice.
(APPLAUSE)
Thank you very much, thank you. (APPLAUSE)
Thank you very much, it’s a great honor to be here this morning. And so many faith leaders — very, very important people to me — from across our magnificent nation, and so many leaders from all across the globe. Today we continue a tradition begun by President Eisenhower some 64 years ago.
This gathering is a testament to the power of faith and is one of the great customs of our nation. And I hope to be here seven more times with you.
(APPLAUSE)
I want very much to thank our co-chair Senator Boozman and Senator Coons. And all of the congressional leadership; they’re all over the place. We have a lot of very distinguished guests. And we have one guest who was just sworn in last night, Rex Tillerson, secretary of state.
(APPLAUSE)
Gonna do a great job.
(APPLAUSE)
Some people didn’t like Rex because he actually got along with leaders of the world. I said, no, you have to understand that’s a good thing. That’s a good thing, not a bad thing. He’s respected all over the world and I think he’s going to go down as one of our great, great secretaries.
We appreciate it.
Thank you, thank you, Rex.
(APPLAUSE)
Thank you as well to Senate Chaplain Barry Black, for his moving words. And I don’t know Chaplain whether or not that’s an appointed position — is that an appointed position? I don’t even know if you’re Democrat or if you’re Republican, but I’m appointing you for another year, the hell with it.
(LAUGHTER)
And I think it’s not even my appointment, it’s the Senate’s appointment, but we’ll talk to them. You’re very — you’re — your son is here. Your job is very, very secure. OK?
(LAUGHTER)
Thank you, Barry. Appreciate it very much.
I also want to thank my great friends the Roma. Where’s Roma, beautiful Roma Downey, the voice of an angel. She’s got the voice — every time I hear that voice; it’s so beautiful. That — everything is so beautiful about Roma, including her husband because he’s a special, special friend. Mark Burnett for the wonderful introduction.
So true, so true. I said to the agent, I’m sorry, the only thing wrong — I actually got on the phone and fired him myself because he said, you don’t want to do it, it’ll never work, it’ll never, ever work, you don’t want to do it. I said, listen. When I really fired him after it became the number one show, it became so successful and he wanted a commission and he didn’t want to this.
That’s when I really said — but we had tremendous success on The Apprentice. And when I ran for president, I had to leave the show. That’s when I knew for sure that I was doing it. And they hired a big, big movie star, Arnold Schwarzenegger, to take my place. And we know how that turned out.
The ratings went down the tubes. It’s been a total disaster and Mark will never, ever bet against Trump again. And I want to just pray for Arnold if we can, for those ratings, OK?
(LAUGHTER)
But we’ve had an amazing life together the last 14, 15 years. And a — an outstanding man and thank you very much for introducing. Appreciate it. It’s a great honor.
(APPLAUSE)
TRUMP: I also want to thank my dear friend, Vice President Mike Pence, who has been incredible.
(APPLAUSE)
And incredible wife, Karen.
And every time I was in a little trouble with something where they were questioning me, they’d say, “But he picked Mike Pence.”
(LAUGHTER)
“So he has to know what he’s doing.”
(LAUGHTER)
And it’s true, he’s been — you know on the scale of zero to 10, I rate him a 12, OK?
So I wanna thank you, thank you very much, appreciate it.
(APPLAUSE)
But most importantly, today I wanna thank the American people. Your faith and prayers have sustained me and inspired me through some very, very tough times. All around America, I have met amazing people whose words of worship and encouragement have been a constant source of strength.
What I hear most often as I travel the country are five words that never, ever fail to touch my heart, that’s “I am praying for you.” I hear it so often, “I am praying for you, Mr. President.”
(APPLAUSE)
No one has inspired me more in my travels than the families of the United States military. Men and women who have put their lives on the line everyday for their country and their countrymen. I just came back yesterday, from Dover Air Force Base, to join the family of Chief William “Ryan” Owens as America’s fallen hero was returned home.
Very, very sad, but very, very beautiful, very, very beautiful. His family was there, incredible family, loved him so much, so devastated, they were so devastated, but the ceremony was amazing. He died in defense of our nation. He gave his life in defense of our people. Our debt to him and our debt to his family is eternal and everlasting. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
We will never forget the men and women who wear the uniform, believe me.
(APPLAUSE)
Thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
From generation to generation, their vigilance has kept our liberty alive. Our freedom is won by their sacrifice and our security has been earned with their sweat and blood and tears. God has blessed this land to give us such incredible heroes and patriots. They are very, very special and we are going to take care of them.
(APPLAUSE)
Our soldiers understand that what matters is not party or ideology or creed, but the bonds of loyalty that link us all together as one. America is a nation of believers. In towns all across our land, it’s plain to see what we easily forget — so easily we forget this, that the quality of our lives is not defined by our material success, but by our spiritual success.
I will tell you that and I tell you that from somebody that has had material success and knows tremendous numbers of people with great material success, the most material success. Many of those people are very, very miserable, unhappy people.
And I know a lot of people without that, but they have great families. They have great faith; they don’t have money, at least, not nearly to the extent. And they’re happy. Those, to me, are the successful people, I have to tell you.
(APPLAUSE)
TRUMP: I was blessed to be raised in a churched home. My mother and father taught me that to whom much is given, much is expected. I was sworn in on the very Bible from which my mother would teach us as young children, and that faith lives on in my heart every single day.
The people in this room come from many, many backgrounds. You represent so many religions and so many views. But we are all united by our faith, in our creator and our firm knowledge that we are all equal in His eyes. We are not just flesh and bone and blood, we are human beings with souls. Our republic was formed on the basis that freedom is not a gift from government, but that freedom is a gift from God.
(APPLAUSE)
It was the great Thomas Jefferson who said, the God who gave us life, gave us liberty. Jefferson asked, can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God. Among those freedoms is the right to worship according to our own beliefs. That is why I will get rid of and totally destroy the Johnson Amendment and allow our representatives of faith to speak freely and without fear of retribution. I will do that, remember.
(APPLAUSE)
Freedom of religion is a sacred right, but it is also a right under threat all around us, and the world is under serious, serious threat in so many different ways. And I’ve never seen it so much and so openly as since I took the position of president.
The world is in trouble, but we’re going to straighten it out. OK? That’s what I do. I fix things. We’re going to straighten it out.
(APPLAUSE)
Believe me. When you hear about the tough phone calls I’m having, don’t worry about it. Just don’t worry about it. They’re tough. We have to tough. It’s time we’re going to be a little tough folks. We’re taken advantage of by every nation in the world, virtually. It’s not going to happen anymore. It’s not going to happen anymore. We have seen unimaginable violence carried out in the name of religion. Acts of wantonness (ph) (inaudible) just minorities. Horrors on a scale that defy description.
Terrorism is a fundamental threat to religious freedom. It must be stopped and it will be stopped. It may not be pretty for a little while. It will be stopped. We have seen…
(APPLAUSE)
And by the way, General, as you know James “Mad Dog”, shouldn’t say it in this room, Mattis, now there’s a reason they call him “Mad Dog” Mattis, never lost a battle, always wins them, and always wins them fast. He’s our new secretary of Defense, will be working with Rex. He’s right now in South Korea, going to Japan, going to some other spots. I’ll tell you what, I’ve gotten to know him really well. He’s the real deal. We have somebody who’s the real deal working for us and that’s what we need. So, you watch. You just watch.
(APPLAUSE)
Things will be different. We have seen peace loving Muslims brutalize, victimize, murdered and oppressed by ISIS killers. We have seen threats of extermination against the Jewish people. We have seen a campaign of ISIS and genocide against Christians, where they cut of heads. Not since the Middle Ages have we seen that. We haven’t seen that, the cutting off of heads. Now they cut off the heads, they drown people in steel cages. Haven’t seen this. I haven’t seen this. Nobody’s seen this for many, many years.
TRUMP: All nations have a moral obligation to speak out against such violence. All nations have a duty to work together to confront it and to confront it viciously if we have to.
So I want to express clearly today, to the American people, that my administration will do everything in its power to defend and protect religious liberty in our land. America must forever remain a tolerant society where all face are respected and where all of our citizens can feel safe and secure.
We have to feel safe and secure. In recent days, we have begun to take necessary action to achieve that goal. Our nation has the most generous immigration system in the world. But these are those and there are those that would exploit that generosity to undermine the values that we hold so dear. We need security.
There are those who would seek to enter our country for the purpose of spreading violence, or oppressing other people based upon their faith or their lifestyle, not right. We will not allow a beachhead of intolerance to spread in our nation. You look all over the world and you see what’s happening.
So in the coming days, we will develop a system to help ensure that those admitted into our country fully embrace our values of religious and personal liberty. And that they reject any form of oppression and discrimination. We want people to come into our nation, but we want people to love us and to love our values, not to hate us and to hate our values.
We will be a safe country, we will be a free country and we will be a country where all citizens can practice their beliefs without fear of hostility or a fear of violence. America will flourish, as long as our liberty, and in particular, our religious liberty is allowed to flourish.
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America will succeed, as long as our most vulnerable citizens — and we have some that are so vulnerable — have a path to success. And America will thrive, as long as we continue to have faith in each other and faith in God.
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That faith in God has inspired men and women to sacrifice for the needy, to deploy to wars overseas and to lock arms at home, to ensure equal rights for every man, woman and child in our land. It’s that faith that sent the pilgrims across the oceans, the pioneers across the plains and the young people all across America, to chase their dreams. They are chasing their dreams. We are going to bring those dreams back.
As long as we have God, we are never, ever alone. Whether it’s the soldier on the night watch, or the single parent on the night shift, God will always give us solace and strength, and comfort. We need to carry on and to keep carrying on.
For us here in Washington, we must never, ever stop asking God for the wisdom to serve the public, according to his will. That’s why…
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Thank you.
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That’s why President Eisenhower and Senator Carlson had the wisdom to gather together 64 years ago, to begin this truly great tradition. But that’s not all they did together. Lemme tell you the rest of the story.
Just one year later, Senator Carlson was among the members of Congress to send to the president’s desk a joint resolution that added, “Under God,” to our Pledge of Allegiance. It’s a great thing.
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Because that’s what we are and that is what we will always be and that is what our people want; one beautiful nation, under God.
Thank you, God bless you and God bless America. Thank you very much. Thank you.
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Thank you.
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