Secretary of State John Kerry
Secretary of State John KerryReuters

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s comments proposing to ban Muslims from entering the United States "endanger national security," Secretary of State John Kerry claimed on Sunday.

"It exhibits an attitude by one American who is running for the highest office of our land about a willingness to discriminate against a religion," Kerry told ABC News.

The Secretary of State also criticized the Republican frontrunner's statement for going "against our constitution."

"It seems to me that Mr. Trump's statement is wholly and totally without recognition of the true American spirit and values and certainly tolerance," he said.

Trump caused an uproar in the United States last week when he called for a ban on Muslims entering the country in the wake of the massacre in San Bernardino.

The comments were widely condemned, with White House press secretary Josh Earnest saying the proposal was "disqualifying".

Even Iranian President Hassan Rouhani weighed in on the controversy, saying Trump’s call to ban Muslims was hypocritical.

Also criticizing the comments was Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who tweeted that Trump was “a disgrace not only to the GOP but to all America.” Trump replied with a tweet of his own, saying, “Dopey Prince @Alwaleed_Talal wants to control our U.S. politicians with daddy’s money. Can’t do it when I get elected.”

The presidential candidate was unapologetic, defending his comments on CNN and saying, "You're going to have many more World Trade Centers if you don't solve it (Muslim terror - ed.) - many, many more and probably beyond the World Trade Center."