Bobby Jindal at GOP Debate on Ahmed Mohamed arrest: ‘I’m glad police are careful’

Republican presidential hopeful Bobby Jindal is glad police officers are being careful—careful enough to arrest a 14-year-old for building a clock and bringing it to school.

At the GOP debate tonight, Jindal, the Louisiana governor, was asked about the story of the day, Ahmed Mohamed, the Texas high school freshman who was arrested when he brought a homemade clock to school. Teachers thought Mohamed, a Muslim of Sudanese descent, was carrying a bomb.

When moderator Jake Tapper pushed him to address Mohamed, Jindal said, “I don’t think a 14-year-old should ever get arrested for bringing a clock to school.” He should have ended his answer there.

Instead, Jindal felt the need to add the following statement: “I’m glad police are careful,” he said. “I’m glad they’re worried about security and safety issues.”

Here is the security and safety issue that police officers faced in Irving, Texas:

Police were so careful they put Mohamed in handcuffs and escorted him out of school in front of his peers.

But according to Jindal, there are far more important forms of discrimination to talk about. “Right now, the biggest discrimination going on is against Christian business owners and individuals who believe in traditional forms of marriage,” he said, citing Kim Davis, the county clerk who was jailed for discriminating against gay couples.

Maybe we should ask Mohamed what he thinks about that.

Related:

• Now that Ahmed Mohamed’s clock is disarmed, here are 10 other suspicious items the Irving, Texas police should investigate
• Scientists and engineers of color are using #IStandWithAhmed to show solidarity with Ahmed Mohamed
• I built my own clock today. You should, too!

Casey Tolan is a National News Reporter for Fusion based in New York City.