Jan Brewer: We shouldn’t profile, but how do we find dangerous people if we don’t?
Sep 20, 2016, 5:53 PM
(AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
PHOENIX — Former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer said Tuesday that she knows people shouldn’t profile others, but has no idea on how to catch potential security risks in the United States without it.
“We know people profile,” she told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Mac & Gaydos on Tuesday. “They’re not supposed to profile, but they profile.”
Brewer spoke just days after Ahmad Khan Rahami, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Afghanistan, placed multiple bombs in both New York City and New Jersey. Though most of the devices failed to detonate, some did and left more than 25 people hurt.
Rahami’s background and possible radicalization have renewed cries for a change to the American approach to possible terrorists, particularly from Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. He said current policies are too forgiving and lead to more attacks on U.S. soil.
“Weakness invites aggression,” he said during a Monday rally. “We’re weak.”
Trump has previously called for aggressive screenings and outright bans on refugees from some countries. He has also encouraged the profiling of immigrants to prevent more attacks.
Brewer said profiling is akin to identifying a suspect by skin color, tattoos or a mug shot.
“How are you going to find these people if you don’t?” she asked.
But some have said that profiling treats certain people unfairly. Brewer said that Americans need to come to terms with what’s necessary because the nation is under attack.
“This is our country, we love it and we need to protect it,” she said.
Brewer said people should not be afraid to step forward if they notice something unusual.
“If you see something, say something … Is that because you’re profiling? No.”