washington president barack obama set wednesday make first visit u.s. mosque trip white house say aim counter rhetoric republicans presidential campaign trail exploit americans fear muslims trip islamic society baltimore obama want highlight american right freedom religion include muslims white house spokesman josh earnest say see alarm willingness part republicans try marginalise law-abiding patriotic muslim americans offensive earnest tell reporters republican presidential front-runner donald trump call ban muslims enter unite state california couple kill 14 people last december describe authorities radicalised muslims inspire islamic state militants republicans vie party candidate nov. presidential election also argue obama plan accept 10,000 refugees flee syria war say raise national security risk republican candidate ben carson say muslims unfit presidency unite state transparent strategy part republicans play people anxieties target religious minorities advance political ambition earnest say obama call comment betrayal american value say discrimination muslims play hand extremist group like islamic state muslim civil right leaders express alarm anti-muslim backlash point recent incidents vandals throw bacon even pig sever head mosques obama visit mosques outside unite state trip abroad first meet privately small group muslim community leaders deliver remark mosque 12:05 p.m. et set speak nation christian leaders annual national prayer breakfast thursday last week warn rise religious intolerance ceremony israeli embassy obama visit u.s. mosque counter republican rhetoric muslims