MSNBC host Chris Matthews went after Democratic Delaware Gov. Jack Markell on Tuesday over his vocal support for allowing Syrian refugees into the United States.
"Suppose one of the people that come into your state under your support does go terrorist, does become a recruit, becomes a cell member. Would you feel responsible for their actions?" Matthews asked on
"Hardball."
Markell said everyone would, but Matthews pressed, "No, you, personally. Would you personally feel responsible, as chief executive, having advocated for the admission of these refugees into Delaware, would you personally accept responsibility for their behavior?"
Markell said he would, but that the immigration issue is actually federal anyway, so he and other governor's don't really control the influx.
"But you're advocating it. You're saying, bring 'em on," Matthews said. "You're saying, yes. You're coming on TV to say it's a good thing."
Matthews said the able-bodied shouldn't be accepted because they could stay in Syria and fight for their country.
"It's not a country of CEOs and conscientious objectors," Matthews said. "You'd stay here, or would you go off to Australia if this country was threatened by a takeover? You'd stay and fight. Why don't they?"
More than 30 governors, including four Democrats, have taken stances against allowing Syrian refugees to settle in their states over fears that Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists may be embedded with them.
Matthews on Monday told former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani that, "My own view is send them to a fort, train them and send them back as military people."