Trump's Muslim database support draws fire from GOP rivals

WASHINGTON -- Republican presidential rivals rushed yesterday to condemn Donald Trump's support for a government database to track Muslims in the United States, drawing a sharp distinction with the Republican front-runner on a proposal also deemed unconstitutional by legal experts.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush called the prospect of a registry "abhorrent." Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said the idea was "unnecessary" and not something Americans would support. And Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who has largely avoided criticizing Trump throughout the 2016 campaign, said, "I'm not a fan of government registries of American citizens."

The rebukes came after Trump voiced support for a mandatory database for Muslims while campaigning Thursday in Iowa. The real estate mogul was asked by an NBC News reporter about the prospect of a database and whether Muslims would be required to be registered. Trump said, "They have to be."

Asked whether Muslims would have to register at mosques, Trump said: "Different places. You sign up at different places. But it's all about management."

In an interview on Fox News Channel last evening, Trump tried to clarify his position, saying, "I want a watch list for the Syrian refugees that Obama's going to let in if we don't stop him as Republicans."

He said he'd had trouble hearing the NBC reporter's questions. But he didn't disavow the idea of a general registry for Muslims. "I want to have watch lists. I want to have surveillance. I mean, we're not a bunch of babies," he said.

Trump has also voiced support for closing certain mosques as a way to contain the terror threat.

His comments followed the attacks in Paris that killed 130 people and wounded hundreds more. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility, elevating fears in the United States and prompting calls for new restrictions on refugees fleeing war-torn Syria.

Civil liberties experts said a database for Muslims would be unconstitutional on several counts, while the libertarian Cato Institute's Ilya Shapiro said the idea also violates basic privacy and liberty rights.

Ben Carson, the retired neurosurgeon who has challenged Trump's lead in the GOP primary, has also made eyebrow-raising statements about Muslims following the Paris attacks.

Asked yesterday about a registry for Muslims, Carson said the United States should have a database on "every foreigner who comes into this country," but he rejected the idea of tracking U.S. citizens based on their religion. "One of the hallmarks of America is that we treat everybody the same," he said.