There has been a storm of condemnation from Donald Trump's fellow Republicans after the presidential candidate called for a ban on Muslims entering the US.
Rival candidate Jeb Bush called Trump "unhinged". Former US vice-president Dick Cheney said it "goes against everything we stand for and believe in".
The White House and Muslim leaders also criticised Trump's statement.
Trump said many Muslims nursed a "hatred" towards America.
In a campaign statement, he called for "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on".
His campaign manager said that would apply to "everybody" - would-be immigrants and tourists. But Mr Trump told Fox News it would "not apply to people living in the country", adding that Muslims serving in the US military would "come home".
Trump's statement was delivered as the US comes to terms with its deadliest terror attack since 9/11.
Last week a Muslim couple, believed to have been radicalised, opened fire and killed 14 people at a health centre in San Bernardino.
Trump garnered loud cheers when he repeated his ban pledge at a South Carolina rally hours after his initial statement.
Some of his Republican rivals - mindful, perhaps, that Mr Trump's more outlandish proposals only appear to have bolstered his poll ratings - were more nuanced in their responses.
Carly Fiorina used her response to take simultaneous aim at President Barack Obama, saying his "overreaction is as dangerous as President Obama's under-reaction" - while Ted Cruz said: "Well, that is not my policy."
Ben Carson said visitors to the US should be monitored, but added: "I do not and would not advocate being selective on one's religion".
