Sec. John Kerry: Donald Trump’s Comments on Muslims 'Endanger National Security'

The Secretary of State was interviewed by ABC News' George Stephanopoulos.

ByABC News
December 13, 2015, 9:14 AM

— -- Secretary of State John Kerry says Donald Trump’s comments proposing to ban Muslims from entering the United States "endanger national security."

"It exhibits an attitude by one American who is running for the highest office of our land about a willingness to discriminate against a religion," Kerry said in an interview on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos."

The secretary of state also criticized the Republican frontrunner's statement for going "against our constitution."

"It seems to me that Mr. Trump's statement is wholly and totally without recognition of the true American spirit and values and certainly tolerance," Kerry told ABC News chief anchor George Stephanopoulos.

Kerry also took Republicans to task for not supporting the climate change agreement reached in Paris Saturday and signed by nearly 200 nations.

"I don't believe you can be elected president of the United States if you don't understand climate change or you're not committed to this kind of a plan," he said.

Kerry acknowledged that if a Republican is elected president in 2016, they "would have the ability" to undo the agreement by executive order.

But the secretary of state told Stephanopoulos the American people will not accept a leader who doesn't understand the importance of combating climate change.

"I don't think they're going to accept as a genuine leader someone who doesn't understand the science of climate change and isn't willing to do something about it,” Kerry said.