Ben Carson says it would be a mistake to elect a Muslim as U.S. president.
“I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation,” Carson said in an interview televised on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday. “I absolutely would not agree with that.”
{mosads}Carson was asked about a Trump supporter who claimed President Obama is a Muslim at a town hall last week, and whether a president’s faith should matter.
“If it’s inconsistent with the values of America, then of course it should matter,” he said. “But if it fits within the realm of America and consistent with the Constitution, no problem.”
Carson, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, said he does not believe the Muslim faith is compatible with the U.S. Constitution.
He also said he would consider voting for a Muslim running for Congress, provided their values are consistent with America’s.
“Congress is a different story, because it depends on who that Muslim is and what their policies are, just as it depends on what anybody else says, you know,” Carson said.
The retired neurosurgeon added that he does believe Obama is a Christian.
“I believe he is. I have no reason to doubt what he says,” Carson said.
Trump, speaking Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” seemed to lend some credence to those who believe Obama is a Muslim when asked by Chuck Todd whether he would support a Muslim for president.
“Would I be comfortable? I don’t know if we have to address it right now,” Trump said. “I mean, some people have said it already happened, frankly.”
Trump did not explicitly say Obama is Muslim, but noted, “In all fairness, he said he was a Christian and he said he is a Christian.”
–Timothy Cama contributed to this report, which was updated at 11:53 a.m.