On NBC’s Today show this morning Sen. Chuck Schumer said he will ask for a repeal of Trump’s hugely unpopular travel ban today, saying “This is a blanket ban. It hurts innocent people and doesn’t stop terrorism. It’s just appalling,”
Watch courtesy of NBC’s Today show:
WATCH: “This evening I will ask for a vote on the floor of the Senate to repeal this [travel ban].” @SenSchumer‘s full interview w/ @MLauer pic.twitter.com/q3q0yJL11B
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 30, 2017
Schumer eviscerated Trump’s actions, saying,
“It was done in such a sloppy and careless way. Major agencies — the Border Patrol, Customs didn’t even know about it. There were major holes in how it was done. It almost seems like back-of-the envelope. So even for those who might be for this – I am certainly opposed – the slap-dash way it was done was appalling and created the chaos. But more importantly, this will make us less safe. John McCain is exactly right. It will encourage lone wolves here in America. They have created most of the terrorism. The biggest problem we’ve had from terrorism are not from these countries. In fact, there’s something called the Visa Waiver Program which allows people from France, Belgium places with known terrorists to come in no questions asked. I don’t even get what they were getting at because they’re not even stopping terror, they’re instead doing what is in effect as Rudy Giuliani said, a Muslim ban which is not what America’s about.”
Asked by Matt Lauer what he could do about it, Schumer answered,
“This evening I will ask for a vote on the floor of the Senate to repeal this. Sen. Feinstein has very carefully thought out legislation to repeal this. I hope Mitch McConnell allows that vote…We should repeal this and then we should sit down and in a careful, thoughtful way figure out ways we need to tighten up things against terrorism.”
Chuck Schumer is right in every detail, and despite declined to criticize Trump’s actions, which leaves that a slender reed. However, the action must be taken regardless of its chances for success and Schumer is right to speak out.