Mike Pence disavowed one of the Donald Trump campaign’s signature policy plans—a ban on Muslim immigration to the U.S.—telling CNN Thursday that, actually, his running mate doesn’t support such a ban either.
Way back before Pence was named Trump’s running mate, the Indiana governor publicly condemned Trumps’ proposal for a Muslim ban, calling it “offensive” and unconstitutional. When asked if he would publicly say that he does not agree with that policy, Pence refused, saying that both he and Trump have been clear and unified.
“Our position is we’re going to suspend immigration from countries compromised by terrorists,” Pence said.
When pressed again about why we won’t disavow a total ban on Muslim immigration, Pence said it’s because there’s nothing there to disavow.
“Well, because it’s not Donald Trump’s position now,” Pence said.
“I’m proud to stand with him when he says that we need—we need to suspend immigration from countries and territories that have been compromised by terrorism,” Pence added. “I understand why you want to play the oldies, you want to talk about the where the campaign began or what statements were made but the American people are focused on—are focused on the policies that Donald Trump is articulating every day across this country.”
Though the Muslim ban has been part of Trump’s bread-and-butter since announcing his candidacy, his position has muddied over the past year, morphing from a total ban on Muslims entering the country, even including Muslim-Americans traveling abroad, to now banning those who come from “terrorist countries,” as Pence pointed out.
Notably, the press release for Trump’s original proposal, which came in response to a terror attack in San Bernardino, California, still sits on his campaign website.
Watch the clip below via CNN:
Why isn’t Mike Pence condemning Trump’s past call for a Muslim ban? “Because it’s not Donald Trump’s position now” https://t.co/9fAIpGXCd4
— New Day (@NewDay) October 6, 2016
