Donald Trump got into a tense exchange with CNN anchor Chris Cuomo on Tuesday as the Republican presidential candidate defended his controversial proposal to prevent all Muslims from entering the country following the San Bernardino attack.

When Trump brought up how the U.S. previously rounded up the Japanese and placed them in internment camps during a time of “war,” Cuomo pushed back.

“It was wrong then, it was wrong with the Japanese and it is wrong now,” Cuomo said. “We are at war, but not with all Islam.”

Trump reiterated that "we are at war" and asked, "Why do we insist on destroying our country?"

.@realDonaldTrump: "Why do we insist on destroying our country?" #TrumpOnCNNhttps://t.co/WlaaklSvVohttps://t.co/isrpgXLrcX

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) December 8, 2015

Trump also dismissed all criticism from his GOP opponents, who have all strongly condemned his Muslim ban proposal.

“I don’t care about them,” he said. “We have people out there who want to do great destruction to our country. …I am saying, until we figure this out, we should have a ban.”

.@realDonaldTrump on criticism from his GOP rivals: I don't care about them #TrumpOnCNNhttps://t.co/WlaaklSvVohttps://t.co/jO2hU5Cfjb

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) December 8, 2015

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