UPDATE, 11:15am – Sadly, Newt Gingrich’s last minute efforts were not enough to sway Donald Trump to his favor. In what must be a crushing blow to Newt’s zoo-animal loving heart, Trump officially selected Indiana governor Mike Pence as his running mate.
I am pleased to announce that I have chosen Governor Mike Pence as my Vice Presidential running mate. News conference tomorrow at 11:00 A.M.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 15, 2016
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Newt Gingrich, in his final hours Thursday evening of hoping to be Donald Trump’s running mate, proposed a “test” for every Muslim in America to determine whether or not “they believe in shariah”. Gingrich made the remarks Thursday evening on Fox News.
.@newtgingrich: "We should…test every person here who is of a Muslim background, & if they believe in shariah they should be deported."
— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 15, 2016
Here is Newt Gingrich's full quote on deporting Muslim citizens who fail a religious test: https://t.co/D5B9RVMmp8 pic.twitter.com/jYqy0AqRyh
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) July 15, 2016
Former Gingrich aide Robert George, among others, were not impressed.
Um, Newt, with all due respect: WTF!?!? https://t.co/hYUpHkReby
— Robert A George (@RobGeorge) July 15, 2016
Many pointed out that Gingrich’s proposal to administer religious “tests” and to potentially “deport” Muslims who are U.S. citizens was morally, logistically, and constitutionally dubious. Tp where, exactly, would an American citizen be “deported”?
Some speculated that, given the uncertainty at the time surrounding Donald Trump’s search for a running mate, that Gingrich was trying to curry favor with the Republican nominee, who himself has proposed a ban on Muslim immigration into the United States.
Gingrich’s remarks were widely circulated and quoted verbatim. But on Friday morning, he complained on Twitter that they were being taken out of context.
Amazing distortions of my interview on Hannity last night.i will do a lengthy facebook live later this morning on the issue of sharia
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) July 15, 2016
He then sought to clarify, explaining that he never meant to suggest that U.S. citizens should be deported.
We clearly need three patterns dealing with Islamist terrorism:for people seeking to get into America,those with green cards, for citizens
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) July 15, 2016
Gingrich’s antagonists in the conservative movement were quick to note his canny ability to stay in the spotlight.
I'm sure @realDonaldTrump appreciates @newtgingrich making the news today about…@newtgingrich. https://t.co/sDrMljA1bz
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) July 15, 2016
Stay tuned.
The hysteria of the media overreaction to my comments on the Nice attack is very https://t.co/udfQQdx84A my facebook live later today
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) July 15, 2016