Donald Trump and Carly Fiorina aren't the only Republican presidential hopefuls raising eyebrows with their soundbites. Dr. Ben Carson, currently in second place behind Trump in polls, made a strong statement against Islam during his appearance on NBC's Meet the Press this morning.
"I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation," the retired neurosurgeon, who is himself a Christian, told host Chuck Todd. "I absolutely would not agree with that.”
"So do you believe that Islam is consistent with the Constitution?" Todd then asked.
“No,” Carson answered, “I don’t, I do not.”
He did not specify just how Islam conflicted with the Constitution. He did, however, suggest a more lenient attitude towards electing a Muslim to Congress.
"Congress is a different story, but 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.
His statments prompted a rebuttal from Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison, who became the first Muslim ever elected to Congress in 2007.
“For Ben Carson, Donald Trump, or any other Republican politician to suggest that someone of any faith is unfit for office is out of touch with who we are as a people,” Ellison shared in a statement obtained by The Guardian.
Ellison continued: “It’s unimaginable that the leading GOP presidential candidates are resorting to fearmongering to benefit their campaigns, and every American should be disturbed that these national figures are engaging in and tolerating blatant acts of religious bigotry.”
You can watch Carson's interview, below.
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