The protests against Trump’s Muslim ban are having an impact on the White House as the President has released a statement defending his executive order.

In the statement, the President said, “America is a proud nation of immigrants and we will continue to show compassion to those fleeing oppression, but we will do so while protecting our own citizens and border. America has always been the land of the free and home of the brave. We will keep it free and keep it safe, as the media knows, but refuses to say. My policy is similar to what President Obama did in 2011 when he banned visas for refugees from Iraq for six months. The seven countries named in the Executive Order are the same countries previously identified by the Obama administration as sources of terror. To be clear, this is not a Muslim ban, as the media is falsely reporting. This is not about religion – this is about terror and keeping our country safe. There are over 40 different countries worldwide that are majority Muslim that are not affected by this order. We will again be issuing visas to all countries once we are sure we have reviewed and implemented the most secure policies over the next 90 days. I have tremendous feeling for the people involved in this horrific humanitarian crisis in Syria. My first priority will always be to protect and serve our country, but as President I will find ways to help all those who are suffering.”

It is telling that Trump White House used Obama’s name more times than the phrase Muslim ban in their statement. Make no mistake about it; Trump is trying to use Obama as a human shield to deflect the protests and criticism that are coming at him. The difference between Obama’s action and Trump’s is simple.

Obama banned Iraqi refugee applications for six months. Trump’s executive order banned all types of visa applications from seven different countries. The Obama administration did their ban after it was found that al-Qaeda terrorists were trying to use the Iraqi refugee program to infiltrate the United States.

The Trump administration is willingly admitting that their measure is proactive. They have no evidence to support the need for the ban at this time.

Trump’s statement is proof that the protests are working. The White House is on the defensive. The blame Obama excuse is not working, and the administration has painted themselves into a corner.

The “use by date” on the blame Obama excuse expired on January 20, 2017. This is Donald Trump’s mess, and the protesters are right to target their anger at him.

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