"We've got to put the safety and security of the American people first," Pence said Friday. | AP Photo Pence walks back criticism of Trump's Muslim ban

Donald Trump's newly minted running mate Mike Pence expressed strong support for the real estate mogul's plan to bar Muslim migration to the U.S., despite sharply opposing the proposal in the past.

"I am very supportive of Donald Trump's call to temporarily suspend immigration from countries where terrorist influence and impact represents a threat to the United States," Pence told Fox News' Sean Hannity, reframing Trump's call for an indefinite ban on Muslim entry into the U.S. "until we can figure out what is going on."


"I believe the position he's articulated that resonates with millions of Americans is that we've got to find out what's going on, and we've got to do something different, and we've got to put the safety and security of the American people first," said Pence, who was appearing in his first televised interview since being announced as Trump's pick shortly before 11 a.m. ET.

The comments represent a total reversal for Pence, who during the Republican primaries blasted Trump's proposed ban as "offensive and unconstitutional" on Twitter.

Calls to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. are offensive and unconstitutional. — Governor Mike Pence (@GovPenceIN) December 8, 2015





(Trump has since modulated his proposal -- reframing it as a ban on immigration from countries with a significant terrorism problem -- while not explicitly acknowledging having changed it.)

Pence was also in lockstep with Trump in their views on how to address illegal immigration, with the Indiana governor saying that he "absolutely" supports Trump's plan to build along the southern U.S. border and make Mexico pay for it.

"Building the wall, establishing border security, has to be job one. Internal enforcement. I mean, we are a nation of laws, and we need to uphold those laws," he said.

By aligning himself with several of Donald Trump's most controversial proposals, Pence may be tipping his hat to how the Trump campaign intends to deal with the sizable policy schism between the two candidates, who over the years have disagreed on issues ranging from abortion to trade, immigration to Iraq.

Pence also heaped the real estate mogul with praise, comparing him to the late president and Republican icon Ronald Reagan.

"Donald Trump understands the anxiety and the aspiration of the American people like no leader since Reagan. And he's given voice to that," Pence said. "People have rallied around him and I believe will continue to rally around him. And I expect next week at our convention, you're going to see our party and leaders in our party rally around this good man who will be a great president of the United States."

The Trump campaign is holding a "welcome home" rally for Pence at the Indianapolis Executive Airport on Saturday afternoon.