Montana federal lawmakers denounce Trump

All three members of Montana’s congressional delegation denounced recent calls by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the U.S.”

Trump made the suggestion in a statement released by his campaign Monday. The outspoken billionaire and former “Apprentice” host said such extraordinary measures are required, he said, because large segments of the Muslim world harbor a hatred for America that is “beyond comprehension.”

“Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life,” said a statement for the Trump campaign.

The statement comes a week after a shooting by a Muslim couple at a center for the developmentally disabled in San Bernardino left 14 dead before being killed by police in a gun battle.

Montana’s two Republicans sought to seek a balance between denouncing Trump’s rhetoric, while calling for a tougher approach to safeguarding the country against potential attacks from ISIS.

“Well, Muslims (sic) itself, or Lutherans, just by religion alone I think is an unfair test and is unconstitutional,” said Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., when asked about Trump’s idea during an appearance on Fox News. “I think carpet bombing long term ... that is not the American way. But certainly I think we have to focus on what is the issue and that is radical Islamic terrorism. We should say it and identify what the problem is.”

Zinke has long been a critic of the Obama administration’s approach to homeland security, calling for a halt to the resettlement of refugees within the United States until what he said are gaps within the screening process are fixed. He also called for changes to the U.S. visa waiver system.

“I strongly disagree with Donald Trump’s proposal which seeks only to divide Americans and goes against the principles we stand for as a nation,” Daines said in a statement from his office. “We must remain vigilant and continue fighting to stop the growing threat of Islamic extremism, but we must also defend our constitution and protect religious freedom for all Americans.”

When asked about the matter, the office of Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester said: “In this particular case, Jon disagrees with Donald Trump.”

Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau, a Democrat running to oust Zinke in next year’s election for the state’s lone seat in the House of Representatives, said Trump’s attitude serves only to bolster ISIS.

“Defeating ISIS will require having allies all over the world, and his plan closes doors and runs counter to the values our nation was founded on,” said Juneau.

Despite the pushback, though, polls consistently show Trump as the leading candidate among likely Republican primary voters.

A Montana State University- Billings poll released Tuesday shows Trump narrowly ahead among Montana Republicans and Republican-leaning voters with 22.2 percent. Dr. Ben Carson, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio trail with 19.2 percent, 14.1 percent and 13.6 percent respectively.