Trump Defends Executive Order: ‘Not a Muslim Ban’

President Donald Trump on Sunday defended his recent executive order that—among other actions—bars foreign nationals from seven African and Middle Eastern countries from entering the United States. Trump criticized the media for its coverage of the executive order, which has affected even those who have valid visas or green cards. “To be clear, this is not a Muslim ban, as the media is falsely reporting,” Trump said in a statement released by the White House. “This is not about religion—this is about terror and keeping our country safe.” On Twitter earlier in the afternoon, Trump went after Republican Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham for their statement which blasted the executive order as a potential threat to America’s national security. “The joint statement of former presidential candidates John McCain & Lindsey Graham is wrong—they are sadly weak on immigration,” Trump tweeted. “The two Senators should focus their energies on ISIS, illegal immigration and border security instead of always looking to start World War III.”