Donald Trump promised on the campaign trail to push for a “total and complete shutdown” of Muslims entering the country “until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on.” Those comments have come back to haunt him legally as president, proving that his travel bans are indeed manifestations of bigotry. But now, with Tuesday’s truck attack in New York City, Trump is taking his anti-immigrant case to the American public.

He began tweeting last night:

We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2017

I have just ordered Homeland Security to step up our already Extreme Vetting Program. Being politically correct is fine, but not for this! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2017

The terrorist came into our country through what is called the "Diversity Visa Lottery Program," a Chuck Schumer beauty. I want merit based. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2017

Then continued this morning:



We are fighting hard for Merit Based immigration, no more Democrat Lottery Systems. We must get MUCH tougher (and smarter). @foxandfriends — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2017

"Senator Chuck Schumer helping to import Europes problems" said Col.Tony Shaffer. We will stop this craziness! @foxandfriends — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2017

Chuck Schumer helped shape the Diversity Visa Lottery Program, which was part of the Immigration Act of 1990, signed by President George H. W. Bush; the State Department issues 50,000 visas annually under the program, mostly to immigrants from Africa. Tuesday’s suspect, Sayfullo Saipov, had repeatedly passed background checks to work for Uber and to earn a green card.

Trump’s unhinged rhetoric will, as it always does, appeal to people who want to believe there is something we can do to stop the world’s Saipovs. Reality is messier. There will always be Saipovs.