White House says Donald Trump comments ‘disqualify’ him from presidency

The White House says comments from Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump “disqualify” him from the presidency. It comes after Trump made banning all Muslims, whether immigrants or visitors, from entering the U.S. key policy plank in his campaign. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest says the policy is unconstitutional, and by pushing it, Trump has invalidated his candidacy.

“The fact is that the first thing a President does when he or she takes the oath of office is to swear an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the United States. And the fact is that what Donald Trump said yesterday disqualifies him from serving as President.”

Earnest went further, suggesting that other Republican candidates who have sworn to back Trump if he wins the party’s nomination are by association also disqualifying themselves.

“ Trump’s campaign had a “dustbin of history” quality to it and said his comments were offensive and toxic. The question now is the rest of the Republican party, and whether they’re going to be dragged into the dustbin of history with him.”

Trump announced the policy on Monday, following the terror attacks in San Bernardino, California.

He claims there is a wide hatred for Americans among the global Muslim population, and says the policy is needed until representatives “can figure out what is going on.”

It follows a string of highly criticized comments directed at Muslims, including a suggestion all Muslims be registered in a government database, that mosques be placed under surveillance, and that New Jersey Muslims cheered the 9/11 attacks.

Trump says he stands by the comments