Asked about a Muslim teenager in Texas who was suspended from school after bringing a clock that was mistaken for a bomb, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal turned the conversation to religious liberty.
“We don’t discriminate against anybody based on the color of their skin or their creed,” Jindal said during CNN’s undercard GOP presidential debate Wednesday.
{mosads}”We’re at war with radical Islam,” he added. “Our president loves to apologize for America.”
CNN host Jake Tapper, who was moderating the debate, pressed Jindal to answer his question on the balance between vigilance and discrimination.
“I don’t think a 14-year-old should ever get arrested for bringing a clock to school,” Jindal said, saying he was “glad police are careful” and aware of security issues.
Jindal then pivoted to issues of religious objections to same-sex marriage.
“Right now, the biggest discrimination going on is against Christian business owners and individuals who believe in traditional forms of marriage,” he said.
“They’re throwing this woman in jail in Kentucky. Let’s talk about that,” Jindal said, referring to county clerk Kim Davis, who was jailed after refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses.
“Let’s talk about the Christian florists, the caterer, the musician who simply want to say, don’t discriminate against us … for believing that marriage is between one man and woman.”
The initial question alluded to the case of Ahmed Mohamed, 14, who saw an outpouring of support online Wednesday after the story of him bringing a clock to class went viral.
Mohamed got an invitation to visit the White House and an internship offer from Twitter.