Ben Carson Reverses Stance, Says Government Should Protect Ky. Clerk Kim Davis' Religious Freedom

2016 presidential hopeful Ben Carson has reportedly reversed his stance regarding Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis, saying that he believes the government should be able to accommodate the county clerk's religious beliefs.

Carson made his comments in an interview with CBS12 this week, saying that the U.S. government has a responsibility to protect Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis' religious freedoms.

"I do believe in God. I believe in Jesus Christ," Carson told the media outlet. "Congress has a responsibility to step up and create legislation that will protect the religious rights of all Americans."

"When [Davis] took the job, the Supreme Court hadn't made this ruling. If they had, she might not have taken this job. So I think they have a responsibility to accommodate her," Carson added.

Carson's comments differ from previous comments made by his business manager, Armstrong Williams, who suggested in a recent interview that Carson respects the Supreme Court's decision.

"Dr. Carson has said since the Supreme Court ruling that it is the law of the land and that's what he respects," Armstrong previously told Talking Points Memo. "There's no agenda here unless you create one."

When the Supreme Court made same-sex marriage a constitutional right in June, Carson released a statement saying that he "strongly disagreed" with the ruling but respected that the decision was "now the law of the land."

"I call on Congress to make sure deeply held religious views are respected and protected," Carson said in a statement. "The government must never force Christians to violate their religious beliefs."