The mainstream media and most of the political establishment are too quick to slander as 'nativist' the advocacy of barring of Islamist radicals from legal entry into the United States.

In this quote, Tom Tancredo criticizes the mainstream media and the broader political establishment for quickly labeling as "nativist" any efforts to prevent Islamist radicals from legally entering the United States. He argues that this criticism is unjust and dismissive of legitimate concerns about national security and the safety of the American people. Tancredo’s statement suggests that there is an unfair bias against those who advocate for policies that restrict the entry of individuals deemed to pose a threat to the country.

Tancredo’s use of the term "nativist" refers to a political stance that advocates for protecting the interests and culture of the native-born population, often through stricter immigration policies. He implies that labeling such policies as nativist is an overreaction and that the debate should be about national security and the threat posed by radical elements, rather than about prejudice or exclusion.

The quote touches on the broader debate around immigration and national security, particularly the challenge of balancing border security with the protection of civil liberties. Tancredo's perspective reflects a viewpoint that prioritizes the safety of the nation over concerns about political correctness or the fear of being labeled discriminatory. He suggests that the focus should be on ensuring that individuals who may pose a threat to national security are prevented from entering the country, regardless of the potential political fallout.

Ultimately, Tancredo’s statement calls attention to the tension between security concerns and immigration policy, arguing that political and media elites are too quick to dismiss certain views on national defense as "nativist" rather than considering them as reasonable safeguards against potential threats.