Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich on Thursday called for increased scrutiny of Muslims in the United States after a deadly attack in Nice, France
“This is the fault of Western elites who lack the guts to do what is right, to do what is necessary,” he said on Fox News’s “Hannity.” “We better rethink the rules, or we’re going to lose the war.”Gingrich, who is believed to be on Donald Trump’s shortlist for running mate, said law enforcement must increase its vigilance of the nation’s Muslims.
“You have to monitor the mosques,” he said. “Where do you think the primary source of recruitment is? We should … test every person here who is of a Muslim background, and if they believe in Sharia, they should be deported.”
Dozens died Thursday when an attacker drove a truck into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in an apparent terrorist attack.
French President Francois Hollande said that 77 people were killed, and many more are believed to be injured.
The driver, who reportedly fired a gun at victims, was shot and killed by police. Authorities said that the vehicle was packed with weapons and explosives, which did not detonate.
Hollande condemned the bloodshed as terrorism during a brief press conference in the early morning local time.
“It is all of France which is under the threat of Islamic terrorism,” he said. “So in these circumstances we must show absolute vigilance and a determination without end.”
No group has yet taken responsibility for the attack, and it’s unclear if the perpetrator was part of a larger extremist network.
Hollande said France will boost its security measures and extend a state of emergency, which was set to expire in about two weeks, for an additional three months.
Via The Hill