Donald Trump thinks the United States should accept some refugees from Syria due to the “unbelievable humanitarian problem.”
Trump has made anti-immigration rhetoric a cornerstone of his campaign, but the Republican presidential candidate said Tuesday evening that though the migrants could pose a security risk — floating the idea that there may be individuals with ties to Islamic militants — he supported allowing them into America.
“I hate the concept of it, but on a humanitarian basis, with what’s happening, you have to,” Trump said to Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly.
The New York businessman spoke to O’Reilly hours after Kentucky clerk Kim Davis was released from jail after being imprisoned for declining to issue same-sex marriage licenses. Some Republicans have characterized her decision as an act of conscience that should be protected, but others have charged that government officials shouldn’t let their personal beliefs get in the way of public services.
Trump puts himself in the latter camp.
“Whether you like the decision or not, you have to go along with the Supreme Court,” Trump said. “This was not the right job for her.”
The Republican also took on the Black Lives Matter movement, which seeks to highlight police brutality against African-Americans. Trump repeatedly countered that “all lives matter,” and chastised Democrats “that are afraid to even say that.”
“It’s disgraceful the way they’re being catered to by the Democrats, and it’s going to end up kicking them you-know-where,” Trump said. “I don’t think it’s going to end up good.”
Trump — who was at the U.S. Open Tuesday night to watch professional tennis sisters, Venus and Serena WIlliams, face off in a quarterfinal match — will appear in Washington on Wednesday at a rally to protest the Iran nuclear deal.