Cupp shot back: “There really is something new to the idea of banning an entire religious group from entering the country. Peddling this unconservative, un-American, unconstitutional garbage has got to stop.”
Pierson responded saying the U.S. has never allowed “insurgents,” to which Cupp replied: “No one’s talking about allowing insurgents, you’re talking about not allowing regular Muslims. That’s what you’re talking about.”
“Yes, from Arab nations,” Pierson responded. “You know what? So what? They’re Muslim.”
“So what?” Cupp cried. “That’s not the America we live in, Katrina.”
Pierson went on to claim that terrorists have infiltrated the refugee resettlement program, pointing to remarks made by Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson which allegedly claimed “We know for a fact through the counterterrorism center that the refugees have been infiltrated,” in Pierson’s own words.
To the contrary, Johnson released a statement last month contradicting the notion that the Islamic State infiltrates refugees: “As we approach the Holiday season, it is important to note that, at present, we know of no credible and specific intelligence indicating a Paris-like plot on the U.S. homeland.”
Immediately following the Paris terrorist attacks, a Syrian passport was found on the body of one of the attackers that appeared to show his path from Syria through Greece, Serbia and Croatia. The New York Times reported the passport was likely stolen or fabricated. The man to whom it belonged — Ahmad al-Mohammad — died several months before the attacks.
The heated exchange began shortly after Tapper asked about fellow GOP presidential hopeful Ben Carson, who voiced opposition to Trump’s plan. Pierson said Carson is a “very nice man” but not a “war time commander.”
