Charlie Crist says Trump administration needs to rethink its executive order on refugees

It took awhile, but Charlie Crist is finally weighing in on Donald Trump’s controversial executive order temporarily placing a ban on refugees entering the U.S.

While nearly every member of the Florida congressional delegation, and certainly every Democrat was eager over the weekend or on Monday to express their opinion, the St. Petersburg Democrat was quiet. Until now.

Although he does not believe it to be a de facto ban on Muslims, Crist says that the idea of a religious test of any kind “is unconstitutional,” adding that the administration needs to rethink the strategy “immediately.”

Here is the statement in full:

“Our number one priority is to keep America safe. But we must also ensure that America continues to be the beacon of light and hope to the world. These policies are not mutually exclusive. We can and should take steps to improve our vetting processes, while also allowing refugees fleeing persecution to seek a better life in the U.S.

“The confusion and fear created by the lack of coordination around this Executive Order is shocking and deeply troubling. It also appears the so-called religious test it would implement is unconstitutional. The administration needs to rethink this strategy immediately.”