Trump: Muslim Ban Would Only Be 'Temporary'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump said banning Muslims from entering the United States would only be "temporary."
Trump initially called for a ban on Muslims from entering the U.S. following the San Bernardino terror attack in December. Speaking to Fox News on Wednesday, the billionaire said he would like to "back off" from the ban.
"No, it was never meant to be. I mean, that's why it was temporary," Trump told Fox News. "Sure, I'd like to back off on it. I'd like to back off as soon as possible because, frankly, I would like to see something happen, but we have to be vigilant. There is a radical Islamic terrorism problem that our president doesn't want to even talk about."
Trump said former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani would lead a commission on immigration policies that would discuss a Muslim ban.
"I think by putting five, six, or seven people together that really have an expertise in the field would be really good," Trump said. "And Rudy is a smart guy, he's a tough guy, he gets it, he understands the problem and he's willing to talk about the problem and he will head it up and he's agreed to do so."
Giuliani, who made a failed bid for the 2008 Republican nomination, said in December that Syrian refugees should not be let in. But he said a ban on Muslims would violate the Constitution and there can be no religious test on who is allowed into the country.
Trump has previously said he would consider naming Giuliani secretary of Homeland Security.
Meanwhile, with the GOP nomination virtually in hand, Trump is moving aggressively to identify potential running mates and says he now has "a very good list of five or six people," all with deep political experience. While he would not provide a full list of names, he did not rule out New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the former rival whom he's already tapped to head his transition planning.
Trump now has 1,133 delegates, 92 percent of what he needs for the Republican presidential nomination. He won all 36 delegates in Nebraska in Tuesday's contest and 31 of the 34 delegates at stake in West Virginia.
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