Obama to hold talks with Muslims at mosque in Baltimore

WASHINGTON – In a public show of support, President Barack Obama will meet with Muslim community members Wednesday in Baltimore on his first presidential visit to an American mosque.

The White House says Obama plans to visit the Islamic Society of Baltimore on Wednesday and hold talks with Muslim community members.

Obama has been outspoken in pushing back against calls by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and others to block Muslims from entering the U.S. over fears of domestic terrorism linked to extremist groups.

Others have cited potential security risks in pushing legislation in Congress to limit the resettlement of refugees from Syria and Iraq, where the Islamic State group is active.

Obama says such efforts serve only to incite extremist groups and weaken U.S. leadership around the world.