President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he would not allow America to become a sanctuary for extremists and vowed to work with allies, including friends in the Muslim world, to destroy the Islamic State (IS) militant group.
Mr. Trump, during his first address to Congress, said it was his obligation is to serve, protect and defend American citizens.
“As promised, I directed the Department of Defence to develop a plan to demolish and destroy ISIS — a network of lawless savages that have slaughtered Muslims and Christians, and men, women and children of all faiths and beliefs,” Mr. Trump said.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We will work with our allies, including our friends and allies in the Muslim world, to extinguish this vile enemy from our planet,” he said.
No sanctuary for extremists
“We cannot allow a beachhead of terrorism to form inside America — we cannot allow our nation to become a sanctuary for extremists,” Mr. Trump said as he defended his tough immigration policies.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said his administration has been working on improved vetting procedures will shortly take new steps to keep the country safe and “to keep out those who would do us harm.”
“We are also taking strong measures to protect our nation from radical Islamic terrorism,” he said.
Most 9/11 convicts outside U.S.
According to data provided by the Department of Justice, the vast majority of individuals convicted for terrorism-related offences since 9/11 came here from outside of the US.
“We have seen the attacks at home — from Boston to San Bernardino to the Pentagon and yes, even the World Trade Center. We have seen the attacks in France, in Belgium, in Germany and all over the world,” he said.
“It is not compassionate, but reckless, to allow uncontrolled entry from places where proper vetting cannot occur. Those given the high honour of admission to the United States should support this country and love its people and its values,” Mr. Trump said. He told the countrymen that his foreign policy called for a direct robust and meaningful engagement with the world.
Keen to work with ‘new friends’
America, the President said, was willing to find new friends and forge new partnerships where shared interests align.
“We want harmony and stability, not war and conflict. We want peace, wherever peace can be found,” Trump said.
“America is friends today with former enemies. Some of our closest allies, decades ago, fought on the opposite side of these World Wars. This history should give us all faith in the possibilities for a better world,” he said.