"We should all be careful about what we say, but the fact of the matter is, let's not get so concerned about how offended our enemies are. And let's pay a whole lot more attention to who we are and how do we protect our people here in the United States," Carson said on ABC's "This Week."
— Trav (@TravvyTrav) January 3, 2016
Carson's statement came in response to a question about GOP front-runner Donald Trump, who called for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States. Footage of Trump's call has been used in a new recruitment video for al Shabaab, a Somali-based Islamic militant group.
Carson has questioned whether a Muslim should be president.
"I question whether a Muslim who wants Sharia law can be a president," Carson said Sunday. "It's not consistent with our Constitution. There's no backing away from that. And the fact of the matter is, political correctness will destroy us if we don't wake up."
Carson said a landmark nuclear deal which the United States and other world powers reached with Iran this summer hurts ties between Washington and Riyadh.
"The Saudis have been one of our strongest allies in the Middle East, and I think it’s unfortunate that we put them in the position that we have by showing the support to Iran that we have with this foolish deal," he said. "And, you know, there’s no reason for the Saudis to believe that we’re really on their side when we do things like that. And it won’t be surprising if they’re not looking to have a nuclear program soon, and everybody else in the Middle East also."
The Saudi government recently carried out mass executions throughout the country. Carson said he did not condone the killings by "any stretch of the imagination."
"Of course we don't condone that kind of thing. But I'm just saying we need to stop doing silly things that promote these kinds of activities; that's what I’m saying."
