Donald Trump defends call for banning Muslims from United States

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said of Trump’s proposal, “It isn’t going to happen.”

Trump insisted he wasn’t seeking to discriminate against Muslims.

“We are not talking about isolation, we’re talking about security,” he said. “We are not talking about religion, we are talking about security.”

Tuesday’s debate was the first for Republicans since the attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California, that increased concerns about terrorism in the United States. Hours before the debate was to begin, officials in Los Angeles closed all schools after an emailed threat that was later deemed a hoax.

Security fears have reshaped the presidential race, though outsiders like Trump continue to dominate the Republican contest. The billionaire is facing a new challenge from Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who has been rising in polls, particularly in Iowa, which holds its leadoff caucuses on Feb. 1.

Cruz, along with Rubio, said he understood why Trump had made his proposal for banning Muslims, and he avoided directly criticizing the front-runner. Cruz said he believes a more narrowly focused approach would more effectively target Islamic militants.

“It’s not a war on a faith,” he said.