In a ranty stream of tweets from his presidential Twitter handle today, President Obama swatted away security concerns while reaffirming his plans for the United States to take in 10,000 refugees over the next year.
We also win this fight with our values. America can ensure our own security while welcoming refugees desperately seeking safety from ISIL.
— President Obama (@POTUS) November 18, 2015
Here, our focus is giving safe haven to the most vulnerable Syrians – women, children, and survivors of torture.
— President Obama (@POTUS) November 18, 2015
Slamming the door in the face of refugees would betray our deepest values. That’s not who we are. And it’s not what we’re going to do.
— President Obama (@POTUS) November 18, 2015
These tweets fit his rhetoric on refugee safety concerns following the terrorist attacks in Paris last week that resulted in 129 deaths. At least one of the attackers has been confirmed to be a Syrian refugee, which has spurred more than 30 state governors to object to the White House’s decision to continue accepting these refugees.
On Monday during the G20 summit in Turkey, Obama said his current strategy of containment with fighting ISIS has been working out well. During a visit to the Philippines Tuesday, Obama went off on Republicans who have expressed security concerns over the refugee resettlement program.
“I cannot think of a more potent recruitment tool for ISIL than some of the rhetoric that’s been coming out of here,” Obama said of GOP leaders.