By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
Republican presidential candidates are undermining national security efforts by resorting to harsh rhetoric about Muslims, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Tuesday.
In an interview with MSNBC, Johnson said it’s dangerous to single out Islam as the federal government is trying to build connections with Muslims who could help thwart possible terror attacks.
“Inflammatory comments about patrolling and securing Muslim neighbors or barring Muslims from entering this country, having an immigration policy based on religion, is counterproductive to our homeland security and national security interests,” he said.
Some Republican candidates, especially Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, are sacrificing law enforcement relationships with law-abiding Muslims, Johnson said.
The rhetoric has heated up after last week’s Brussels attacks.
