FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2015, file photo, Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., speaks during a Congressional Hispanic Caucus news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Sanchez, now also a US. Senate candidate, is being criticized after suggesting that as many as two of 10 Muslims would engage in terrorism to establish a strict Islamic state. Sanchez said in a statement Friday, Dec. 11, 2015 that the figure does not reflect her views on the Muslim community in America, and most Muslims around the world are committed to peace.(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) (The Associated Press)
BUENA PARK, Calif. – A California congresswoman and U.S. Senate candidate is trying to settle an uproar over comments she made about Muslims and terrorism.
Democrat Loretta Sanchez suggested in an interview with Larry King last week that as many as two of 10 Muslims want to establish a strict Islamic state in any way possible and are "willing to use ... terrorism."
The comments were condemned by Muslim-American and immigrant-rights groups.
Speaking Monday in the Southern California city of Buena Park, Sanchez said estimates show up to 20 percent of Muslims worldwide support, or are sympathetic to, the use of terrorism by the Islamic State or other radical groups.
She says she didn't say up to 20 percent of Muslims are personally willing to engage in terrorism.
Sanchez says her estimates came from mainstream academic and research sources.
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