Bobby Jindal defends Kim Davis, Lindsey Graham says comply or quit

Louisiana Governor and 2016 GOP Presidential candidate Bobby Jindal offered up his support for the Kentucky clerk who is headed to jail for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, saying that she would be legally protected in Louisiana.

“We believe the U.S. Constitution, Louisiana Constitution, Louisiana’s Preservation of Religious Freedom Act, as well as our Executive Order prevents government from compelling individuals to violate sincerely held religious beliefs,” said Mike Reed, spokesman for the governor, when asked if the Kentucky clerk would face the same legal problems in Jindal’s home state.

The governor’s presidential campaign also expressed sympathy for Kim Davis, who makes $80,000 per year as an elected clerk in Rowan County, Kentucky.

“Every person should be able to follow their conscience, and clerks who cannot in good conscience participate in same-sex marriage should not be forced to violate their beliefs,” Jindal campaign spokeswoman Shannon Dirmann told The Associated Press.

2015 Defending the American Dream Summitt in Ohio photo Gage Skidmore

The ACLU of Louisiana disagrees with Jindal’s assessment. The U.S. Supreme Court has already rejected an appeal from the Kentucky clerk. It’s not clear why the situation in Louisiana would be any different.

“They can have whatever legal opinion they want, but the Supreme Court has ruled,” said Marjorie Esman, executive director of Louisiana’s ACLU. “I am not sure where they think she is on solid legal ground.”

“The United States didn’t create religious liberty. Religious liberty created the United States of America. It’s the reason we are here today. This is an essential freedom and an essential right and I don’t think you give up this right by simply taking a job.”

Jindal’s comments differ from those of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), another Republican presidential contender, who said that Davis should comply with the law or resign.

“The rule of law is the rule of law,” he told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. “We are a rule of law nation.”

Graham said that he agrees with her personal beliefs, but she must abide by the law.

“I appreciate her conviction, I support traditional marriage, but she’s accepted a job in which she has to apply the law to everyone,” he said.

Kentucky law prevents Davis, an elected official, from being fired. As a result, if she does not resign, the state can only remove her from office if she is impeached or charged with a crime. Kentucky officials might appoint a special prosecutor to investigate whether or not she is breaking the law.

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