House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Friday denounced former Speaker Newt Gingrich for proposing a plan to deport those who subscribe to the Islamic faith’s Shariah law.
“It doesn’t even rise to the level of an idea,” said Pelosi, D-Calif. “A silly notion.”
Gingrich, who was on Donald Trump’s short list for a vice presidential running mate, called for testing Muslims to determine if they believe in Shariah law, which is a strict code that discriminates against women and includes harsh punishments for those who transgress against the religion.
Gingrich proposed the plan Thursday following the news that a terrorist drove a truck through a crowd of people celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, France, killing 84 people, including 10 children.
“We should frankly test every person here who is of a Muslim background, and if they believe in Shariah, they should be deported,” Gingrich said on Fox News. Gingrich later said on Twitter his remarks were misinterpreted.
But Pelosi said his suggestion is a reflection of the Trump ticket, although Gov. Mike Pence, R-Ind., not Gingrich, was announced by Trump Friday morning as his running mate shortly before 11 a.m.
“Not a good idea, but in keeping with the Trump attitude as well,” Pelosi said of Gingrich’s idea.
America and France, Pelosi said, should be working to unify people in reaction to the attacks yesterday.
“In response to events like this we have to honor the values of our Fourth of July as they honor the values of their 14th of July,” Pelosi said, which are “liberty, equality and fraternity.”
Gingrich’s comments, Pelosi said, are “just not what our country needs in terms of bringing people together.”
