Donald Trump defended his new policy that would ban Muslims from entering the United States at a rally Monday night in South Carolina, calling the policy "common sense."

"We have to look at mosques, we have no choice because something is happening in there," Trump said at the rally.

"Don’t worry about profiling, I promise I will defend you from profiling, I promise," Trump continued, eliciting cheers from the audience.

Prior to the rally, Trump called for a "total and complete shutdown" of Muslims entering the United States, saying they should not be let in "until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on."

Trump's new immigration stance is his harshest to date, and comes in the wake of a mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, in which two attackers opened fire at a holiday party after at least one of them professed allegiance to the Islamic State.

"Without looking at the various polling data, it is obvious to anybody the hatred is beyond comprehension," Trump said in a statement, referring to claims that some American Muslims support violence against the United States. "Where this hatred comes from and why we will have to determine. Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life."

In his statement, Trump cites a poll conducted by the Center for Security Policy — a group founded by Frank Gaffney Jr., whom the Southern Poverty Law Center called "one of America’s most notorious Islamophobes." Trump said the poll found 25% of Muslims in America said "violence against Americans here in the United States is justified as a part of the global jihad."

A spokeswoman for Trump's campaign did not immediately return request for comment from Mashable on a number of issues, including whether Trump's policy referred just to immigrants, or any Muslim seeking to come to the U.S., including visitor visas for students and tourists, and how Trump would distinguish Muslims from non-Muslims in the immigration and visa process.

But in a statement to The Hill, a Capitol Hill publication, Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks said Trump meant "everyone," including Muslim-American citizens currently abroad.

Asked what prompted Muslim ban plan, Mr. Trump said, “death,” according to the spokeswoman: https://t.co/9NZRRB0DSN — Michael Barbaro (@mikiebarb) December 7, 2015

In a press conference after Trump released his statement, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said "it is un-American" to vilify Muslims. And the White House said in a tweet, "We cannot turn against one another by letting this fight be defined as a war between America and Islam."

We cannot turn against one another by letting this fight be defined as a war between America and Islam. pic.twitter.com/rUgsaBF2su — The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 7, 2015

Presidential candidates were quick to condemn Trump's statement. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush called Trump "unhinged" while Sen. Lindsey Graham said Trump is "downright dangerous."

Donald Trump is unhinged. His "policy" proposals are not serious. — Jeb Bush (@JebBush) December 7, 2015

This is reprehensible, prejudiced and divisive. @RealDonaldTrump, you don't get it. This makes us less safe. -H https://t.co/SjAqL0clHd — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 7, 2015

I disagree with Donald Trump's latest proposal. His habit of making offensive and outlandish statements will not bring Americans together. — Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) December 8, 2015

Response of Carly Fiorina to Trump proposal: pic.twitter.com/OffkDLzAVz — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 7, 2015

.@realDonaldTrump remarks are Idiotic, next thing we will be banning loudmouth, racist billionaires. — George E. Pataki (@GovernorPataki) December 7, 2015

.@ChrisChristie on Trump statement: " that’s a ridiculous position and one that won’t even be productive." — Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) December 7, 2015

The U.S. is a strong nation when we stand together. We are weak when we allow racism and xenophobia to divide us. cc: @realDonaldTrump — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 7, 2015

.@Realdonaldtrump has gone from making absurd comments to being downright dangerous with his bombastic rhetoric. — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 7, 2015

Kasich: "more of the outrageous divisiveness that characterizes his every breath and another reason why he is entirely unsuited to lead" US — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 7, 2015

Twitter also erupted following the release of Trump's statement, even from conservative commentators who thought Trump went too far.

Trump has entered John Birch Society/Pat Buchanan territory. Important to save conservatism from him. — Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) December 7, 2015

Trump is an immigration hardliner.

In a plan he released in August, Trump called for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, as well as ending birthright citizenship — a right granted by the Constitution's 14th Amendment.