Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton said Tuesday that the American people “cannot give into fear” in the aftermath of attacks in Paris and California, laying out a multi-pronged strategy to protect the homeland and prevent domestic terrorist attacks.
Clinton assailed her Republican rivals shortly before their latest presidential debate, telling an audience at the University of Minnesota that another ground war reminiscent of conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan would play into the hands of the militant Islamic State group and fail to keep the US safe.
“Shallow slogans don’t add up to a strategy,” Clinton said. “Promising to carpet bomb until the desert glows doesn’t make you sound strong, it makes you sound like you are in over your head,” she added, referencing recent comments by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a leading Republican presidential candidate.
“Bluster and bigotry are not credentials for becoming commander in chief.” Clinton sought to assure Americans that she would protect the homeland and prevent homegrown terrorists from sprouting following deadly attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California, that have thrust terrorism to the forefront of the presidential campaign.
Much of her critique was aimed at Republican front-runner Donald Trump, whose call for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States has sparked debate around the globe.
Her strategy includes proactive steps for curbing Islamic State recruitment in the US, especially online, and for stopping potential terrorists from training overseas. She also urged that the US take steps to stop foreign fighters from entering the country, discover and disrupt plots before they can be carried out, work more closely with law enforcement agencies and empower Muslim-American communities.
“This is a 360-degree strategy to keep America safe,” Clinton said. She also reiterated her support for new restrictions on guns, saying it was “time to restore the ban on assault weapons,” a law first passed by her husband, former President Bill Clinton, which expired during the Bush administration.
She also emphasised a need for vigilance, stressing that the country needs to be prepared for more terror plots. Hours before her speech, officials in Los Angeles closed all schools after an emailed threat regarding a large-scale attack with guns and bombs – a threat some law enforcement officials deemed a hoax.