Prominent conservative Bill Kristol praises Democrat Seth Moulton for speaking out against Trump refugee ban – Boston.com

Rep. Seth Moulton found a perhaps unexpected ally Sunday in his outspoken criticism ofPresident Donald Trumps executive order temporarily banning refugees from entering the United States.

Bill Kristol, founder of the conservative magazineThe Weekly Standard and a prominent Republican, said in a tweet Sunday that it was the Massachusetts Democrat, who spoke for him in opposing the ban, rather than GOP Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Trumps order bans refugees from entering the United States for 120 days, indefinitely suspends refugees from Syria from entering the United States, and blocks citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the country for 90 days. It also effectively prioritizes Christian refugees over Muslims refugees.

In a statement Friday, Moulton said the executive action made him ashamed [Trump] is our president.

His policies literally put our troops lives at riskIve heard this loud and clear when I have visited them overseas, said Moulton, a Salem resident and Iraq War veteran. They also prove he has zero understanding of our countrys values and no intention of defending our Constitution.

In an interview Sunday morning, Moulton told ABC News Martha Raddatzthat Trumps so-called Muslim ban was fundamentally unAmerican. He also said it made Americans less safe, because ISIS could use the order to radicalize sympathizers.

Theres nothing in his executive order that improves the vetting process, he said. Hes just putting across a blanket ban that will be used against us.

Appearing on the same show Sunday morning, McConnell told Raddatz he thought it was generally a good idea to tighten the vetting process, but said he thought it was important to remember that some of our best sources in the war against radical Islamic terrorism are Muslims, both in this country and overseas. But the top Senate Republican refrained from condemningTrumps executive action.

The president has a lot of latitude to try to secure the country, McConnell said. And Im not going to make a blanket criticism of this effort. However, I think its important to remember, as I said, a lot of Muslims are our best sources in the war against terror.

Kristol, who has been a longtime critic of Trump, followed up his aforementionedtweet by calling for more Republicans to stand up to Trump on the order, which resulted in widespread confusion and protest over the weekend.

In turn, Moulton thanked Kristol for his support and called for a bipartisan effort against Trumps immigration order.

Indeed, several Republicans particularly Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham have questioned the effectiveness of Trumps order. But, according to a count by Vox.com, it is a small minority of the GOPs membership in Congress.

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Prominent conservative Bill Kristol praises Democrat Seth Moulton for speaking out against Trump refugee ban - Boston.com

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