Ahmed Mohamed, Texas Teen Arrested for Clock, Becomes Issue At GOP Debate
— -- The Texas teen arrested after his homemade digital clock was mistaken for a bomb went from getting the attention of President Obama to the attention of GOP Presidential hopefuls at tonight's debate.
Ahmed Mohamed, 14, was taken into custody on Monday at MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas after a digital clock he crafted himself was mistaken for a bomb by school officials.
The Irving Police Department claimed they were being "cautious" because of recent episodes of school violence, but the incident sparked outrage because it was seen by some as racial prejudice against Muslim-Americans.
Tonight, CNN debate moderator Jake Tapper asked Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal about the difference between vigilance and discrimination against the Muslim community, premising the question on Mohamed's arrest.
"I don't think a 14-year-old should ever get arrested for bringing a clock to school,” Jindal said. “I'm glad that police are careful."
The Louisiana governor went on to criticize the Muslim community for not doing enough to "denounce violence."
"The biggest discrimination is going on against Christian business owners and individuals who believe in traditional forms of marriage. They are throwing this woman in jail in Kentucky. Let's talk about that," said Jindal in a reference to Kentucky clerk Kim Davis, who was jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples.
When asked to comment about Mohamed, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham also made the issue about combating radical Islam, brushing aside discussion about Davis in Kentucky and Mohamed in Texas.
"Kim Davis, I'm not worried about her attacking me,” Graham said. “I am worried about radical Islamic terrorists who are already here planning another 9/11.”
