Nevada - Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson is backing away from his Monday claim that he saw American Muslims celebrating the Sept. 11 attacks.

A spokesman for the retired neurosurgeon said Carson “does not stand behind” his statement to reporters hours earlier that he saw news reports of Muslims in New Jersey cheering the 2001 terrorist attacks. Republican rival Donald Trump has repeatedly made such claims in recent days, despite strong pushback from local officials.

“He does not believe Muslim Americans in New Jersey were celebrating the fall of the Twin Towers,” Carson spokesman Doug Watts said. “Rather he recalls the ample news footage of crowds in the Middle East celebrating the tragic events of 9/11.”

National security has become a focus in the presidential race over the last week after terrorists launched a series of deadly attacks in Paris.... Read More: VIN