On Thursday, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster told his team that referring to acts of terror committed by Muslims as “radical Islamic terrorism” isn’t helpful because terrorists are “un-Islamic,” according to the New York Times. The NYT reported that sources taking part in the first “all hands” staff meeting told them that McMaster wore his Army uniform as he spoke to the group that had been working to reorganize since former National Security advisor Michael Flynn’s sudden departure from the position.
The sources within the meeting said that McMaster told his staff that Muslims who commit acts of terror are perverting the religion they say they follow. McMaster’s reported stance on the term is a departure from that of President Trump, who has been very vocal about using the words “radical Islamic terrorism.”
During the 2016 Presidential campaign, Donald Trump criticized his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton for not calling terrorism radical Islamic terrorism.
“Our way of life is under threat by Radical Islam and Hillary Clinton cannot even bring herself to say the words,” Trump tweeted in July 2016.
Then-Presidential candidate Trump also criticized then-President Obama for not saying the words.
“Is President Obama going to finally mention the words ‘radical Islamic terrorism?’” Trump tweeted. “If he doesn’t, he should immediately resign in disgrace.”
On Sunday, former CIA Director John Brennan made an appearance on CBS News’ “Face The Nation” and said that McMaster’s position on the words “gives me even greater confidence that he is going to do what he needs to do as national security adviser and hopefully be able to sway the thoughts and ideas and inclinations of some of the individuals who work with him in the White House complex.”
[revad2]
