Newt Gingrich appeared on Hannity Thursday night (is it me, or is he practically co-hosting that show now?) and while reacting to the terror attacks in Nice, France, the former Speaker of the House called for departation of ” every person here who is of a Muslim background” if they fail a test on whether they believe in Sharia or not.

“Let me be as blunt and direct as I can be. Western civilization is in a war. We should frankly test every person here who is of a Muslim background, and if they believe in Sharia, they should be deported. Sharia is incompatible with Western civilization. Modern Muslims who have given up Sharia, glad to have them as citizens. Perfectly happy to have them next door.”

Gingrich did not make a distinction between American citizens with a “Muslim background” versus non-citizens but one has to assume he meant non-citizens. After all, where, exactly, would one deport a US citizen?  Right?

Reaction to Gingrich’s remarks from conservatives:

Former Newt staffer. https://t.co/7EC4XsRkWY

— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) July 15, 2016

Curious: Is Newt proposing Congress enact unconstitutional law, or that president act unconstitutionally on his own? https://t.co/6drR1v7T5a

— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) July 15, 2016

Embarrassing. And from someone who surely knows better. https://t.co/zBuIiTFhOH

— Stephen Hayes (@stephenfhayes) July 15, 2016