More Republicans chastise Trump over executive order
Senate Foreign Relation Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), whom Trump considered picking to be his running mate and, later, secretary of state, called on the president to immediately retool the order.
“We all share a desire to protect the American people, but this executive order has been poorly implemented, especially with respect to green card holders,” Corker said in a statement. “The administration should immediately make appropriate revisions, and it is my hope that following a thorough review and implementation of security enhancements that many of these programs will be improved and reinstated.”
One of the harshest criticisms came from Corker's Tennessee colleague, Sen. Lamar Alexander, who said that while the order is "not explicitly a religious test, it comes close to one which is inconsistent with our American character.” In a joint statement Sunday evening, Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said that they were "uneasy" with some implications of the order, and Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.), a top target for Senate Democrats next year, said he agreed with stricter vetting but that he is "deeply troubled by the appearance of a religious ban."
Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) said the order was “too broad,” Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) called it “problematic,” and Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) said: “It’s unacceptable when even legal permanent residents are being detained or turned away.”
