Jon Stewart Slams Trump’s Immigration Crackdown in Wake of National Guard Shooting: ‘He Does Not View You as Individuals’

Jon Stewart
Comedy Central

On this week’s episode of “The Daily Show,” Jon Stewart went after Donald Trump for enacting sweeping immigration reform after an Afghan national was accused of shooting two National Guard members on Nov. 26 in Washington, DC.

As a result, the United States halted immigration from Afghanistan. Trump also said he would reassess green cards for immigrants living in the United States from 19 countries.

“That horrible act was done by one individual who was part of a larger group of Afghans who were brought here because they risked their lives helping the United States during our invasion of Afghanistan,” Stewart said. “Which, of course, means…”

Stewart then cut to a clip of Trump speaking to reporters about his decision to pause asylum requests. The president said the suspected shooter is part of a group of “people that shouldn’t be in our country,” a cluster that also includes “Somalians” and “plenty of others.”

“Did you just ‘Somalia’ Afghanistan?” Stewart joked. “Because of this one Afghan, all Afghans are suspect, and also Somalians?”

The late-night pundit then cut to another clip of Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where he was asked what the Solamians had to do with the National Guard shooting. The president replied, “Nothing, but Somalians have caused a lot of trouble.”

“‘They had nothing to do with it, just reminded me of other groups I also don’t like. I don’t see color. I just hate all of it,’” Stewart said. “So our entire immigration system is now going to be based around the principle that if even one person from your ethnic or religious group fucked up, you all got to go.”

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Later in the monologue, Stewart asked who Trump would like to see come to America. Trump’s answer came in a sound bite: “I also like very competent people coming into our country. … Maître ds, wine experts, even waiters, high-quality waiters. You got to get the best people.”

“So Somalians aren’t welcome, unless they’re also ‘sommeliers,’” Stewart said. “But by the way, I want to make this clear. I don’t mind Trump having strict standards. The problem is, if you are from the so-called less desirable countries, he does not view you as individuals. You are just part of a larger amorphous blob of suspicion that deserves no grace, and if one of you fuck up, all are condemned.”

Watch the entire monologue below.

From Variety US