Trump Critics: Muslim Outreach Vital to Fight Terror

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson is responding to Donald Trump's new proposal to ban all Muslims from entering the United States, saying it would threaten counter-terrorism efforts.

Johnson argues that vilifying and casting suspicion on American Muslims would keep them from wanting to aid in the battle against extremists.

"We need to work with them - the Muslim community - to build bridges, to heighten awareness, to help them develop the message counter to ISIL," Johnson said.

Other leaders are also calling for engagement with the U.S. Muslim community. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of House Homeland Security Committee, condemned the Obama administration for not doing enough to prevent young people from being radicalized.

"There is too little outreach to vulnerable communities," McCaul said.

"There is virtually no effort from here at home to combat terrorist propaganda directed at our citizens and there are few credible off ramps to peel radicalized young people away from the path to terrorist violence," he said.

Donald Trump's declaration that all Muslim immigration should be stopped while the government figures out how to better deal with it is drawing a chorus of condemnation, not just from Muslim groups, but from his fellow Republican candidates and Christians. Has the Donald finally gone too far? CBN's David Brody explains. Click play to watch.

Meanwhile, with the terrorist threat to America increasing, the Homeland Security Department is planning a new terror alert system.

Secretary Johnson said the change is needed because terrorist threats to the United States have evolved.

Many people remember the original color-coded alert system put in place after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It was replaced in 2011 with the more complex National Terrorism Advisory System.

Few details have been released about the nation's third upcoming alert system.