Two politicians who stuck their foots in their mouths earlier this week are swallowing their pride and changing their tone.
Republican hopeful Donald Trump took a step back from his remarks that he would “absolutely” implement a data base for Muslims if elected President.
Roanoke Mayor David Bower apologized for using the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II to justify his position that Syrian refugees should not be permitted in the United States.
He singled out “all Americans of Japanese descent” for the “unwise and inappropriate comparison.”
“Any such comparison was a mistake. I apologize. It’s just not in my heart to be racist or bigoted,” Bowers said.
The apology came after 27 people spoke at a public meeting denouncing Bower for his insensitivity. Most accepted his apology.
Trump is now trying to clarify his remarks, according to Think Progress.
“I didn’t suggest a database-a reporter did,” he tweeted. “We must defeat Islamic terrorism & have surveillance, including a watch list, to protect America.” He did not, however, specifically say he would oppose a data base.
Several of Trump Republican rivals denounced his remarks, with Jeb Bush calling the idea “abhorrent” and Ted Cruz saying it violated first amendment rights, according to ABC News.
Ben Carson took the idea for a database one step further, calling for a database for all foreigners.