“You can point to other countries that have similar problems like Pakistan and others — perhaps we need to take it further. But for now, immediate steps, pulling the Band-Aid off, is to do further vetting for people traveling in and out of those countries.”
President Trump is shrewd to have started with the list of seven countries that the Obama administration had singled out as terror hotbeds, and to use the list as leverage with countries such as Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
“W.H. chief of staff defends President Trump’s controversial travel ban,” by Emily Schultheis, CBS News, January 29, 2017:
White House chief of staff Reince Priebus defended President Donald Trump’s controversial executive order banning immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries, saying it’s intended to protect the country — and even suggested more countries could be added to the list going forward.
“This is not a Muslim ban,” Priebus told CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “All this is is identifying the seven countries — and the reason we chose those seven countries is those were the seven countries that both the Congress and the Obama administration identified as being the seven countries that were most identifiable with dangerous terrorism taking place in their country.”
Since Mr. Trump signed the executive order on Friday, he’s come under heavy criticism from foreign leaders and U.S. elected officials alike. As visa holders from the affected countries landed at U.S. airports and were detained this weekend, thousands of people protested outside airports like New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport and Dulles Airport in the Washington, D.C. area.
Currently, Mr. Trump’s order applies to citizens of seven countries: Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. However, Priebus said Sunday that the list of countries could grow.
“You can point to other countries that have similar problems like Pakistan and others — perhaps we need to take it further,” he said. “But for now, immediate steps, pulling the Band-Aid off, is to do further vetting for people traveling in and out of those countries.”
Priebus reiterated that Mr. Trump is merely following through on his campaign promises, and that he’s “not willing to be wrong” on the issue of immigration.
“This was a promise that President Trump had made and it’s a promise that he’s going to keep,” “And he’s not willing to be wrong on this subject — we need to do our best to be vigilant and protect Americans.”
He defended the fact that the order has meant valid green card holders, not just regular visa holders, have been detained as well, saying Customs and Border Patrol has always had “wide discretion” in asking questions of people entering the country.
“The point is, though, valid visas are great but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be subjected to further questioning,” he said. “That’s all I’m saying.”
Asked repeatedly whether the Trump administration consulted with or notified the U.S.’ Arab allies before signing the order, Priebus wouldn’t answer — but said that notifying too many people beforehand would have tipped off potential terrorists and allowed them to get into the country before the deadline.
“We’re not going to advertise to the world that we’re going to put a stop or at least further vetting on travel in and out of our country from these seven places,” he said. “Some people have suggested … that maybe we should have given everyone a three-day warning — well, that would just mean that a terrorist would move up their travel by three days.”…

Marty says
Good. At last an administration comprehends that the islamic death cult is determined to destroy the United States and western civilization.
Alexius Comnenus says
I agree. America and this lawfully elected administration must continue its course for what people voted for. All the leftist, democrats and the liberals use every decision Trump makes as a reason to creat tumult and social opposition.
The vast majority of our nation wants to have security in their own country. Its nobody else business to criticize us. This is our country and have a President who care about us and simply follow the path we voted him for. Everyone who comes here from those trouble islamic countries must be checked out.
The whole trouble in todays world is created by islam, which is not a religion and has nothing to do with religion rights. How comes nobody protested for 8 years for the Christians who are killed. Most of them were kept out by Obama. Last year over 90000 Christians were slaughtered, One Christian every 6 minutes!
The many muslim groups are using all sort of lies, the human rights and others cunning ways just to come in the western countries and to Islamize from within. Many of these opponents are blind or intended to be blind and not see the catastrophic situation in Sweden, Germany, French UK and others. Hungary and Japan do not accept muslim because they are a treat to their national security.
Enough is Enough!
We all want to help many nations and people. Our duty this time is to make sure our families, children and grandchildren will not face disastrous domestic problems in the near future.
j_not_a says
Pakistan being added is a no-brainer.
Always On Watch says
The unholy alliance [the Left and Islam] is going to have a meltdown.
About time!
PRCS says
They’re not actually doing this to offend Muslim nations, but make them nervous.
gravenimage says
Actually, I believe they are doing this to protect American citizens–the reaction of Muslim nations is a secondary consideration, as it should be.
davej says
Agreed. This is meant to be largely a symbolic turnaround in policies, putting the world on notice and leveraging against other countries that are equally or more dangerous.
The over-reactions, recriminations and attacks of the vapors on the part of the apologists are to be expected.
gravenimage says
I think this is way more than just symbolic, dave.
Renee says
The US has every right to scrutinize who enters their nation. Europe will see the consequences of open borders within the next decade.
Greyhound Fancier says
I have been made to understand that in the 1800s, Muslims were asked if they supported polygamy prior to being allowed entry into the US. The US was having a polygamy problem in Utah and the intermountain West. We didn’t need more polygamists!
We don’t need more terrorists now. Yet I heard the voices of a mass of foolish people chanting “Let Them In” at an airport today.
If you leftists all want these people so much, why not take them home with you? They can be watched over by you, fed by you, housed by you. If they hurt or kill someone, you can be responsible.
Magali Marc says
Trump should certainly include Pakistan in the list. I’m surprised he didn’t do it given that the terrorist couple of the San Bernardino attack were Pakistani. The man was of Pakistani descent and the wife was a Pakistani Immigrant.
gravenimage says
The would-be Times Square Bomber Faisal Shahzad was Pakistani, as well.
Dov Berrol says
Mazal Tov President Trump. Someone who really understands that Kafir Lives Matter.
All these Muslims can very nicely enjoy life in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. Plenty of money and mosques in those countries to give these refugees (from Muslim civil wars, remember) a very nice Islamic life.
somehistory says
One living on Mars would tend to believe that the U.S. is the only country where people would like to go and the only country that has ever said, “No, you can’t come now.”
islam’s supporters…all of its supporters, including those who put the head on the floor and the ones who just say how peaceful are the ones putting their heads on the floor… don’t believe anyone has the right to tell them “No.”
Lesley says
I already like Reince Priebus.
Richard Paulsen says
They could go to China instead. Prospering economy. (just joking). Indeed a burden to U.S.A. and Europe. Being said economy in Sweden (my country) is prospering and better than other countries, due to immigration (of muslims and building of their mosques).
Being claimed on media that we need them, without we will not manage the competition with other nations.
Watching all unemployed, younger and elderly, old women and younger in muslim dresses. Burnings of schools and cars. No respect for police, ambulances, fire departments and others.
This can not go on. Protect U.S.A. Protect Europe and the civilized world.
Greyhound Fancier says
It is hard to fathom how housing, feeding, and caring for hordes of non-working people could possible improve the economy! The media thinks most people are idiots – otherwise, why would they make such claims!
Poor Sweden – what kind of delusion can cause people to truly believe that bringing in Muslims, of all people, would improve their country?
Richard Paulsen says
Than you. Yes, it is terrible.
Mark Swan says
America first—please
We can not be so eager to take in more of the world’s problems when we have so
many unresolved still among our own citizens—to mention just one real problem.
•42.2 million Americans lived in food insecure households, including 29.1 million adults and 13.1 million children.
•Households with children reported food insecurity at a significantly higher rate than those without children, 17 percent compared to 11 percent.
•Households that had higher rates of food insecurity than the national average included households with children (17%), especially households with children headed by single women (30%) or single men (22%).
http://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/impact-of-hunger/hunger-and-poverty/hunger-and-poverty-fact-sheet.html
DFD says
Hi Folks, enjoy this. How PEGIDA in Germany greeted Trump’s election at their rally last week:
http://pi-news.net/wp/uploads/2017/01/A1-b.jpg
Doesn’t require any translation, except the last line: “Merkel can now pack up and leave!”
Richard Paulsen says
Wonderful. Thank you.
gravenimage says
Great to hear, DFD. Thank you.
Richie says
I am so impressed by president Trump! I hope he keeps doing what hes doing as does not bend to the demands of the left. they will see any compromise as weakness, and will exploit it!
Richie says
Do you suppose Pres Trump standing up to the left and to the threat of Islam will inspire the leaders of other countries to do the same, and follow his example?
gravenimage says
God, I hope so.
Richard Paulsen says
Maybe 30%, not 100%. Do not think that the traditional parties will change. The opposition migh grow. Election in Austria might be repeated, I am afraid.
Difficult to change the traditional parties and for new parties to win voters used to voting for traditional parties.
There is no flexibility as in U.S.A..
If Merkel looses and Le Pen wins things might change. Lots wanting a change.
gravenimage says
Priebus says more countries could be added to the immigration ban
…………………………..
Good.
mortimer says
If countries like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and Iraq keep sending TERRORISTS to the West, we should send them a message…’WE DON’T NEED YOU AS MUCH AS YOU NEED US…SO CLEAN UP THE TERRORISTS AND WE’LL OPEN THE GATE WIDER FOR YOU’.
Saudi Arabia actually teaches hatred of the West in their schools and exports those hate-filled school texts around the world.
Saudi Arabia is the worst.
Seabird says
Any country persecuting Christians and other minorities should be on “the list”.
SArabia has sent the most terrorists to attack the US, they’re number one,
Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, definitely for their repression.
W.C. Fields once said; “if you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bulls…”
With 14 executive orders issued in 1 week, Pres.Trump is dazzling after years of being so baffled.
stan lee says
The land from which most of the Arab hijackers of September 11 was excluded from the list,is Saudi Arabia. That nation will never come down hard on Muslim terrorism unless we stop treating them as special friends…they aren’t!
We have to be more vocal about the country in which The Muslim Brotherhood is an important organization in Islam and has sanctuary, Saudi Arabia. Turkey has also been a staging area for ISIL and volunteers to ISIL fly to Turkey from western Europe, North and South America, and what is known as the western world.
There is no half-way method of closing the terrorist threat , it has got to be done with all measures possible.
Islam the religion of killers says
Holding back the 7 countries is pure genius,
The other guilty countries are now on notice and will spend all their time worrying about what will happen next .. which will keep it in the media .. muslim countries will be considering who will be next ..
You can guarantee behind closed doors there are a lot of nervous muslims
This will also rattle the cages of the european countries bent on social suicide, the news will be continuous so the public have even more information, the US protestors are doing a fantastic job of keeping the story flowing,
F**k Merkel etc…. the european public will start to seriously demand answers, especially as everyone worldwide is saying it’s too late for europe.
Angemon says
Indeed. I believe the implication here is that the Arab “allies” are AINO – Allies in Name Only.
gravenimage says
Yes–no Muslim country is an actual ally to us.
Richard Paulsen says
Of course America first. Absolutely. Your own first.Natural. A human right.