How Republicans view Trump’s immigration order – CBS News
Following President Trumps executive order on immigration, several Republicans have weighed in on the policy, which halts the U.S. intake of refugees and pauses travel to the U.S. by citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries.
Some, like House Speaker Paul Ryan, have shown their support for the White House directive, signed Friday.
Others, like Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham, have knocked the policy as dangerous to American national security interests. (And theyve drawn fire for their stance, most noticeably from President Trump himself.)
Still others have expressed wary concern but have yet to outright condemn the travel ban, which Mr. Trump and his administration insists is not about religion.
CBS News is keeping a running tally of all the GOP legislators that have commented on the ban so far. Take a look below to see how Republicans have responded:
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, wrote in a statement that it was overly broad and that its implementation would be problematic.
It could interfere with the immigration of Iraqis who worked for American forces in Iraq as translators and body guards -- people who literally saved the lives of our troops and diplomats during the last decade and whose lives are at risk if they remain in Iraq, Collins said.
She added, of Mr. Trumps comments that the U.S. refugee policy would give priority to persecuted Christians in the Middle East, that a preference should not be given to people who practice a particular religion, nor should a greater burden be imposed on people who practice a particular religion.
[R]eligious tests serve no useful purpose in the immigration process and run contrary to our American values, Collins wrote.
Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tennessee, called the executive order poorly implemented.
We all share a desire to protect the American people, but this executive order has been poorly implemented, especially with respect to green card holders, Corker said in a statement. The administration should immediately make appropriate revisions, and it is my hope that following a thorough review and implementation of security enhancements that many of these programs will be improved and reinstated.
Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Arizona, said that parts of the ban were unacceptable:
President Trump and his administration are right to be concerned about national security, but its unacceptable when even legal permanent residents are being detained or turned away at airports and ports of entry, Flake wrote ina Medium post. Enhancing long term national security requires that we have a clear-eyed view of radical Islamic terrorism without ascribing radical Islamic terrorist views to all Muslims.
Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colorado, said in a statement to the Washington Post that the ban goes too far:
While I am supportive of strengthening our screening processes and securing our borders, a blanket travel ban goes too far, Gardner said. I also believe that lawful residents of the United States should be permitted to enter the country. I urge the administration to take appropriate steps to fix this overly broad executive order.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, wrote in a joint statement with Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, that the ban may do more to help terrorist recruitment than improve our security:
Our government has a responsibility to defend our borders, but we must do so in a way that makes us safer and upholds all that is decent and exceptional about our nation. It is clear from the confusion at our airports across the nation that President Trumps executive order was not properly vetted, the two said. Such a hasty process risks harmful results...Ultimately, we fear this executive order will become a self-inflicted wound in the fight against terrorism.
Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, told CBS Face the Nation of his concerns about the bans impact on national security:
It is a confused process, which the good news is that its only got to do with a pause. The bad news is that, obviously, this process and these conclusions were not vetted, McCain said Sunday. There are so many questions that -- for example, it didnt filter down to our customs people who can come in, who cant.Is a green card holder, as was originally interpreted, who is legally in this country, can that person be barred from coming into the country?
He pointed to a talk he had with Gen. David Petraeus, the former CIA director, where he said he was very concerned about the special visas for those interpreters whose lives are literally in danger as we speak, that they would not be allowed to come into our country.
Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, charged that the vetting proposal itself needed more vetting in a statement.
More scrutiny of those traveling from war-torn countries to the United States is wise. But this broad and confusing order seems to ban legal, permanent residents with green cards, and might turn away Iraqis, for example, who were translators and helped save lives of Americans troops and who could be killed if they stay in Iraq, Alexander wrote. And while not explicitly a religious test, it comes close to one which is inconsistent with our American character.
Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, said in a statement that the executive action was too broad:
There are two ways to lose our generational battle against jihadism by losing touch with reality. The first is to keep pretending that jihadi terrorism has no connection to Islam or to certain countries. Thats been a disaster, Sasse said. And heres the second way to fail: If we send a signal to the Middle East that the U.S. sees all Muslims as jihadis, the terrorist recruiters win by telling kids that America is banning Muslims and that this is America versus one religion. Both approaches are wrong, and both will make us less safe. Our generational fight against jihadism requires wisdom.
Republican representatives opposing the ban include:Rep. Justin Amash, R-Michigan, Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colorado, Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Virginia, Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Florida, Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pennsylvania, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pennsylvania, Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, Rep. Leonard Lance, R-New Jersey, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Florida, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-New York.
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, urged in a statement that the White House tailor its policy on visa issuance as narrowly as possible:
The present geopolitical situation in the war torn Middle East presents a number of difficult questions regarding the intersection of our efforts to protect Americans from the threat of terrorism and our legal and moral obligations to help the innocent victims of these terrible conflicts. In particular, as a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I am acutely aware that many of my own ancestors in the not too distance past were themselves refugees, religious minorities violently driven from their homes and who undertook a long and dangerous journey to build a new life in a distant land, Harch wrote. I strongly urge the new administration to move quickly to tailor its policy on visa issuance as narrowly as possible, delivering on our security needs while reducing unnecessary burdens on the vast majority of visa seekers that present a promise not a threat to our nation. Doing so as expeditiously as possible will achieve our shared goals of keeping the country we both love safe and free, a beacon of justice to the world.
Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, said on CNN that this was an extreme vetting program that was not properly vetted.
I think we need to -- I think we need to -- at this point, there are -- theres a stay in effect. Two judges now have issued stays, as I understand it. I think that is appropriate, Portman said. Again, it is a temporary ban, as I understand it. In my view, we ought to all take a deep breath and come up with something that makes sense for our national security and, again, for this notion that America has always been a welcoming home for refugees and immigrants.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, pushed back on the notion that the order was a Muslim ban in a statement.
Its simply wrong to call the presidents executive order concerning immigration and refugees a religious test of any kind. I doubt many Arkansans or Americans more broadly object to taking a harder look at foreigners coming into our country from war-torn nations with known terror networks; I think theyre wondering why we dont do that already, Cotton wrote. With proper procedures for green-card holders and immigrants with a documented history of serving alongside our troops, I think most Americans support these common-sense measures. I also think its high time we took action to fix an ill-designed refugee program that harms Christians and other religious minorities whove suffered from genocide in Syria. Whatever the media and liberal politicians may say, Im confident that, under Secretary Kellys leadership, these measures will help keep America safe.
Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, tweeted out his support Sunday:
House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, was one of the first to come out in support of Mr. Trump in a Friday evening statement.
We are a compassionate nation, and I support the refugee resettlement program, but its time to reevaluate and strengthen the visa vetting process, Ryan wrote. President Trump is right to make sure we are doing everything possible to know exactly who is entering our country.
Other Republican representatives that are in support of the executive order include:Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pennsylvania, Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-South Carolina, Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Virginia, Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, Rep. Mike McCaul, R-Texas, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-California, Rep. Dan Donovan, R-New York, and Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Florida.
Other statements:
Sen. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma, issued a statement on Twitter:
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, told the Salt Lake City Tribune that he had some technical questions about the order:
National security is always the federal governments top priority, so I am pleased that the White House is focused on protecting the American people, Lee said in a statement to the paper. I do have some technical questions about President Trumps Executive Order titled Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States. My staff and I will continue to reach out to the White House for clarification on these issues.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, commented on the ban on ABCs This Week:
I think its a good idea to tighten the vetting process. But I also think its important to remember that some of our best sources in the war against radical Islamic terrorism are Muslims, both in this country and overseas, McConnell said. And we have had some difficulty in the past getting interpreters as you suggested in the earlier segment who are helpful to us treated properly. So we need to be careful as we do this. Improving vetting, something
Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, said this to CBS News:
The federal government has no more important responsibility than protecting the American people, and refugees from any country should only be permitted to enter the United States if we are certain they do not represent a threat to our citizens, said Senator Young. I look forward to carefully analyzing this temporary executive order and its effects, and working with this new administration and my colleagues in Congress to keep America safe while finally ending the unspeakable suffering of the Syrian people. I want to ensure that the administrations new policy allows Iraqis and Afghanis who faithfully supported our troops and who face threats to their safety -- and who do not represent a terrorist threat -- are able to come to the United States.
Read the original post:
How Republicans view Trump's immigration order - CBS News
- Capitol agenda: Trump tells Republicans to vote or go to hell - Politico - September 11th, 2026 [September 11th, 2026]
- Trump promised $5,000 checks if Republicans win the midterms. How would that work? - pbs.org - September 11th, 2026 [September 11th, 2026]
- Im on the ticket: Trump implores Republicans to vote in November at unusual midterm convention - theguardian.com - September 11th, 2026 [September 11th, 2026]
- Supreme Court grants request to prevent Missouri from using congressional map expected to aid Republicans - SCOTUSblog - September 11th, 2026 [September 11th, 2026]
- Indiana Republicans starting ads for Engling a month after Democrat Bayh hit the airwaves - Indiana Capital Chronicle - September 11th, 2026 [September 11th, 2026]
- Republicans are touting their 'big beautiful bill' to voters. Here's what the law has actually done - pbs.org - September 11th, 2026 [September 11th, 2026]
- NC Republicans take the stage at the GOP midterm convention - ncnewsline.com - September 11th, 2026 [September 11th, 2026]
- Wisconsin Republicans are heading to a midterm convention. What is that? - WPR - September 11th, 2026 [September 11th, 2026]
- Republicans were confident about keeping the Senate. Now the battle is wide open - pbs.org - September 11th, 2026 [September 11th, 2026]
- Elections dispute continues after Justice Kavanaugh turns down request from Missouri to use congressional map expected to aid Republicans - SCOTUSblog - September 11th, 2026 [September 11th, 2026]
- Trump Floats $5,000 Trump Dividend Checks if Republicans Win the Midterms - The New York Times - September 11th, 2026 [September 11th, 2026]
- Trump says every adult American will get $5,000 if Republicans win midterms - BBC - September 11th, 2026 [September 11th, 2026]
- Vance calls on battleground state Republicans to nationalize the midterms - NBC News - September 11th, 2026 [September 11th, 2026]
- Vance seizes MAGA spotlight as Republicans begin looking beyond Trump - Reuters - September 11th, 2026 [September 11th, 2026]
- Vance tests 2028 appeal as Republicans gather in Trumps shadow - thearabweekly.com - September 11th, 2026 [September 11th, 2026]
- Does Trump Want Republicans to Win the Midterms? - The Atlantic - September 11th, 2026 [September 11th, 2026]
- Trump-a-palooza: why are Republicans avoiding the president? | Politics Weekly America - theguardian.com - September 11th, 2026 [September 11th, 2026]
- Texas Republicans Are Turning Against Data Centers. Will It Matter in November? - The New York Times - September 11th, 2026 [September 11th, 2026]
- Vance's speech at US Republicans' convention interrupted by protester waving Mexican flag - Anadolu Ajans - September 11th, 2026 [September 11th, 2026]
- As Midterms Approach, Republicans Find There Is No Escape From Trump - The New York Times - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- Republicans might still lose half the seats they gerrymandered to flip - Politico - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- Opinion | Republicans seem to only call out antisemitism when it suits them politically. Elon Musk proves it. - MS NOW - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- Raskin says the SC has been "stacked and packed" by Republicans - NBC News - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- Trump promises to campaign for Republicans and says they have a winning midterm message - PBS - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- Republicans arent exactly flocking to Trumps midterm convention - Politico - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- Byron York: Which Republicans will run to succeed Trump in 2028? - Troy Record - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- We've told them he cannot come: Republicans grapple with how to handle Trump on the trail - Politico - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- Trump and Vance will keynote the Republicans midterm convention in Texas next month - NewsNation - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- Republicans fear Trump will keep super PAC money and not spend on the midterms - The Washington Post - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- Republicans at odds over whether voters should rank the red in Alaska governors race - Anchorage Daily News - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- Elon Musks super PAC dives into the midterms to bolster Republicans in battleground races - NBC News - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- Trump says hell campaign for Republicans in 35 races ahead of the midterms - NBC News - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- Weve run out of time: Republicans accept that Iran war will last past elections - Politico - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- NEWSLETTER: Trump and the left: Republicans' two-pronged midterms strategy - Reuters - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- Republicans trying to win over unenrolled voters - Sentinel and Enterprise - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- As Republicans plan to gather in Bush's backyard, his influence is largely absent from the party - KERA News - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- In Missouri and Texas, Republicans make opposite arguments on whether redistricting maps can change after a primary - Democracy Docket - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- Trump says he will spend up to $500 million of 'my money' to help Republicans in midterms - cnbc.com - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- Democrats in key state legislative races tout more cash than Republicans - The Detroit News - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- Trump to travel for embattled Republicans in last 30 days of midterms - Politico - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- AI Hitler videos and DOGE dividends: How two Republicans became the most influential losers - Washington Examiner - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- The Iran war drags on. Republicans are watching from the sidelines. - MS NOW - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- Democrats and Republicans work to unify their parties two months from Election Day - wsaw.com - September 6th, 2026 [September 6th, 2026]
- Republicans ready for very hasty Trump-a-palooza convention in Texas - The Hill - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Republicans Are Worried About the Midterms. Trump Is Focused on His Legacy. - WSJ - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Republicans Panic Over Trump Dooming the Midterms - The Daily Beast - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Republicans are breaking with Donald Trump on data centers - Politico - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Texas Republicans attending RNC midterm convention in Dallas believe it will energize their base - CBS News - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Republicans Buck Trumps Lake America Order: Petty and Disappointing - News of the United States - NOTUS - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Texas Republicans redrew five seats. A year later, heres whats happening - Austin American-Statesman - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Republicans were already nervous about November. Then Trump restarted his trade war. - Politico - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Trump faces backlash from Republicans over plan to lift tariffs on beef imports - The Guardian - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Big hemp is betting Republicans roll over on diet weed ban to avoid shutdown - Politico - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Texas Republicans attending Dallas RNC Midterm Convention believe it will energize their base - CBS News - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Fettermans Popularity With Republicans Surges as He Angers the Left, Poll Finds - The New York Times - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Republicans fear Trumps midterm convention will be a disaster: Why are we doing this? - AL.com - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Republicans privately worry that their Trumpapalooza convention will be a bust - CNN - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Republicans plan midterm convention in Dallas featuring Trump speech The Hill - UA.NEWS - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Trump has already found someone to blame if Republicans lose the midterms - Yahoo - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Democrats are undoing California's pension reforms. Why are Republicans going along with it? - Reason Magazine - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Will democratic socialist Francesca Hong shake up the establishment or help Republicans win Wisconsin? - The Guardian - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- 9 Republicans on US Senate primary ballot but 1 clear frontrunner - 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Republicans win Hardeman County seats for first time in 25 years - wbbjtv.com - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Republicans vying to face Rep. Castor in redrawn Hillsborough district - WFLA - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Rep. Max Miller Stays in the Race. What Will Republicans Do Now? - News of the United States - NOTUS - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Trump claims Black voters are rejecting socialism, and 'flocking' to Republicans. Heres what the data says - TheGrio - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Sen. Tim Scott: Republicans could win 54 seats with expanded Senate map - CNN - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Are Republicans blind to the canaries in the Florida and Texas coal mines? - The Hill - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Americans are turning against AI and its a problem for Republicans - The Times - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Trump has squandered Republicans typical advantages in 2 key areas - CNN - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- John James considering these 7 Republicans to be his running mate - detroitnews.com - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Republicans are the real winners of Michigans primary - The Economist - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Republicans face likely year-end test after punting Trump spending bill - Politico - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Amodei still refuses to back Flippo as rift between the two Republicans grows - The Nevada Independent - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Trump says the GOP base is 'angry at Republicans,' but not at him - USA Today - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- MD Republicans sue Moore, elections officials over redistricting ballot question - Maryland Daily Record - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Ban hijabs and halal foods? Texas Republicans offer early blueprint of plan to 'stop Islam' - Dallas News - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Republicans and Democrats uniting against animal testing are wrong - The Economist - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Key Republicans say they'll support Blanche for AG after he rescinds 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' - ABC7 Chicago - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Republicans Behind in Five Key Races They Havent Lost in Decades - Newsweek - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]