President Obama mocks Republicans for being afraid of “three year-old orphans.”

President Barack Obama slammed Republicans for their xenophobic and cowardly rhetoric during a press conference with the president of the Philippines Tuesday night.

Obama was asked about concerns being expressed by some Republicans about the U.S. plan to admit additional refugees from Syria.

Answering the question, Obama expressed disgust at Republican suggestions that his administration deny entry to refugees fleeing war-torn Syria.

The following is an excerpt from Obama’s response:

But we are not well-served when, in response to a terrorist attack, we descend into fear and panic. We don’t make good decisions if it’s based on hysteria or an exaggeration of risks. I think the refugee debate is an example of us not being well-served by some of the commentary that’s been taking place by officials back home and in the media. When candidates say, we wouldn’t admit three-year-old orphans — that’s political posturing. When individuals say that we should have a religious test and that only Christians — proven Christians — should be admitted — that’s offensive and contrary to American values. I cannot think of a more potent recruitment tool for ISIL than some of the rhetoric that’s been coming out of here during the course of this debate… And when you start seeing individuals in positions of responsibility, suggesting that Christians are more worthy of protection than Muslims are in a war-torn land, that feeds the ISIL narrative. It’s counterproductive, and it needs to stop. And I would add, by the way, these are the same folks oftentimes who suggest that they’re so tough that just talking to Putin or staring down ISIL, or using some additional rhetoric somehow is going to solve the problems out there. But apparently, they’re scared of widows and orphans coming into the United States of America as part of our tradition of compassion. First, they were worried about the press being too tough on them during debates. Now they’re worried about three-year-old orphans. That doesn’t sound very tough to me. … They’ve been playing on fear in order to try to score political points or to advance their campaigns. And it’s irresponsible. And it’s contrary to who we are. And it needs to stop, because the world is watching.

Obama is spot on. Republicans are posturing, promoting fear and panic in order to further their own political ends, with no regard for the consequences of their actions. They are using the terrorist attack in Paris and the tragedy of the Syrian refugee crisis as a means to score cheap political points.

Bottom line: A religious test that favors Christians over Muslims is offensive and contrary to American values. Those Republicans who would abandon our secular values at the first sign of danger are despicable fear mongers deserving of ridicule.

Watch Obama slam Republicans – Relevant remarks begin around 13:30 mark: