Donald Trump Calls For 'Total And Complete' Ban Of Muslims Entering US

Donald Trump called for the United States to implement a "total and complete" travel ban against Muslims trying to enter the country. The Republican presidential candidate released a statement on Monday referencing the "great hatred" that "large" segments of the Muslim population hold against Americans.

"Without looking at the various polling data, it is obvious to anybody the hatred is beyond comprehension," Trump said in a statement. "Where this hatred comes from and why we will have to determine. Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victim of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life. If I win the election, we are going to make America great again."

Trump included a poll from the Center for Security Policy which showed that 25 percent of respondents agreed that jihad is a justifiable reason for violence against Americans.

A Trump spokesperson told the New York Times that Trump was prompted by the threat of "death" to announce the proposal. Trump's press release comes less than a week after the San Bernardino attacks that killed 14 people. The suspected gunmen reportedly had ties to the Islamic State group.

Following his press release, Trump took to Twitter to reiterate his position. "Just put out a very important policy statement on the extraordinary influx of hatred & danger coming into our country. We must be vigilant!" he tweeted.

Many were quick to condemn the Republican candidate's proposal.

"I cannot recall any historical precedent for denying immigration based on religion,” Nancy Morawetz, a professor of clinical law at New York University School of Law, told the New York Times.

Trump is scheduled to hold a Monday evening rally in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. The rally will take place on a World War II aircraft carrier at the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant.