President Donald Trump's rushed and ill-considered entry ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries hinges on numerous fallacies and illogical leaps that probably will prompt an embarrassing reversal. The question is how much damage he will inflict on U.S. international relations before the courts or Congress intervene to stop him.

Trump bases his 90-day ban on new arrivals from the seven countries — Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen — on the need to make America safe. In reality, he is endangering national security by sending a message to Muslim allies that America can no longer be regarded as an ally, protector and friend.

Military translators, intelligence informants and workers in U.S. facilities have far less reason to put their lives on the line if they believe America will turn its back on them, simply because they're fighting for U.S. interests in the wrong country. If their collaboration leads to death threats, too bad. They're banned. Iraq's parliament has threatened to impose a visa ban on Americans in retaliation.

Trump's executive order instructs immigration authorities "to prioritize refugee claims made by individuals on the basis of religious-based persecution, provided that the religion of the individual is a minority religion in the individual's country of nationality."

As much as Trump protests that his order is not aimed specifically at Muslims, he has made clear in previous statements that Muslims are his specific targets. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani told Fox News: "When he first announced it, he said 'Muslim ban.' He called me up, he said, 'Put a commission together, show me the right way to do it legally.' "

Trump stated in a Christian Broadcasting Network interview that his order was specifically to give Christians a priority over Muslims.

Any such religious preference would present solid grounds for judicial reversal based on the First Amendment's establishment clause. Besides, in Iraq and Iran, Sunni Muslims are the largest persecuted minority, which would make them eligible for priority entry under Trump's order. In Yemen, Shiite Muslims are the largest persecuted minority. Will they receive consideration equal to that of Christians?

If the issue is about nations that harbor terrorists, why hasn't Trump chosen countries that have clearly traceable links to terrorists who attacked the United States? Osama bin Laden and 15 of the 19 hijackers in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks were from Saudi Arabia, which isn't on the list. In November, The Washington Post reported that Trump had eight companies registered in Saudi Arabia with apparent hotel interests there.

Trump's motives already are suspect. If the president really cares about American values — and his sagging credibility — he will slow down, think carefully and seek counsel from people who actually know what they're doing.

REPRINTED FROM THE ST LOUIS POST DISPATCH