Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump has called for a "total and complete shutdown" on all Muslims entering the United States, and once again drawing haul over the coals from both sides of US politics.
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| Donald Trump calls for ban on Muslims entering US after Ted Cruz takes lead in poll |
"Without looking at the various polling data, it is obvious to anybody the hatred is beyond comprehension," he said.
"Where this hatred comes from and why, we will have to determine.
"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."
Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, asked in an email if the shutdown would apply specifically to immigration or more broadly to student visas, tourists and other travellers to the US, replied: "Everyone."
Mr Trump went further than other Republican candidates, who have called for president Barack Obama to suspend plans to offer sanctuary to as many as 10,000 Syrian refugees fleeing their country's civil war.
White House, presidential rivals condemn plan
Mr Trump's statement drew sweeping condemnation by presidential rivals and the White House, which denounced his call as "totally contrary" to US values.
"We have in our Bill of Rights respect for the freedom of religion," White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes told CNN.
"It's also contrary to our security," Mr Rhodes added, explaining Islamic State militants were trying to cast the US as being at war with Islam.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest told MSNBC that Mr Trump was, "seeking to tap into a darker side, a darker element, and try to play on people's fears in order to build support for his campaign".
Council on American-Islamic Relations national executive director Nihad Awad blasted Mr Trump.
"This is outrageous coming from someone who wants to assume the highest office in the land," Mr Awad said.
"It is reckless and simply un-American. Donald Trump sounds more like a leader of a lynch mob than a great nation like ours."
Mr Trump has been increasingly virulent in his remarks targeting Muslim Americans since the deadly Paris attacks, and again in the wake of last week's shooting rampage in California, which left 14 dead and 21 wounded.
Last month, he caused a furore when he claimed he saw "thousands and thousands of people" cheering in parts of New Jersey with substantial Arab-American populations as the Twin Towers collapsed on September 11, 2001.
But his latest statement was particularly jarring.
"Just put out a very important policy statement on the extraordinary influx of hatred & danger coming into our country. We must be vigilant!" Mr Trump tweeted after the statement was released.
'Trump is unhinged'
His announcement unleashed severe condemnation on Twitter, including from other Republicans running for president.
"Donald Trump is unhinged," former Florida governor Jeb Bush tweeted. "His 'policy' proposals are not serious."
"Every candidate for president needs to do the right thing & condemn @realDonaldTrump's statement," senator Lindsey Graham added.
Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton tweeted that Trump's idea was "reprehensible, prejudiced and divisive".
Democratic presidential contender Martin O'Malley said Mr Trump's incendiary comment "removes all doubt: he is running for president as a fascist demagogue".
Hashtags like #racism, #fascism and #bigot trended heavily on Twitter, while trending keywords included "Hitler", "shutdown" and "immigration".
Meanwhile a spokesman for Ben Carson, the retired neurosurgeon and Republican presidential hopeful, said everyone visiting the US should register and be monitored while in the country.
"Everyone visiting our country should register and be monitored during their stay as is done in many countries," spokesman Doug Watts said.
"We do not and would not advocate being selective on one's religion."
But conservative pundit Ann Coulter tweeted in support: "GO TRUMP, GO!"
At the South Carolina rally, Mr Trump dismissed his critics, saying mosques in the US should also be scrutinised.
"We have to see what's happening," he said.
Mr Trump made the statement after a new poll showed senator Ted Cruz leading the field of Republican presidential contenders in the politically crucial state of Iowa.
The poll — the first in which Mr Cruz has led the field — showed the Texas senator with 24 per cent support from voters who intend to take part in the February 1, 2016 Iowa caucuses, the first real measure of voter support in the 2016 presidential campaign.
Mr Trump was second with 19 per cent support.
The most recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found stark differences between Republicans and Democrats in how they view Muslims.
The poll, which was conducted after last week's San Bernardino attacks, found that 69 per cent of Republicans expressed at least some fears of Muslims, compared with 39 per cent of Democrats.
Trump suggests 'closing' parts of the internet
Mr Trump also used the South Carolina rally to address the issue of radicalisation, saying it could be necessary to "close" some parts of the internet to prevent the process taking place online.
"We have to go see Bill Gates and a lot of different people that really understand what's happening," he said to a cheering crowd.
"We have to talk to them [about], maybe in certain areas, closing that internet up in some way.
"Some people will say, 'Freedom of speech, Freedom of speech'.
"These are foolish people. We have a lot of foolish people."
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