Mike Pence defends Trump's decision to keep Obama's LGBT anti-discrimination order

Vice President Mike Pence came out in defense of President Donald Trump's decision to keep an executive order signed by President Barack Obama that prohibits federal contractors from discriminating against members of the LGBT community.

"I think throughout the campaign, President Trump made it clear that discrimination would have no place in our administration," Pence said on Sunday during an interview with ABC "This Week."

"I mean, he was the very first Republican nominee to mention the LGBTQ community at our Republican National Convention and was applauded for it. And I was there applauding with him. I think the generosity of his spirit, recognizing that in the patriot's heart, there's no room for prejudice is part of who this president is," he continued.

Critics of the order have argued that it curbs religious liberty by barring groups and entities who have moral objections to homosexuality and transgenderism. The Liberty Counsel issued a statement denouncing Trump's decision not to rescind the order, saying it "imposes the LGBTQ agenda in the employment context for federal contractors," The Christian Post reported.

According to a report from Politico, Trump's daughter, Ivanka, and her husband, Jared Kushner, encouraged the president to keep Obama's executive order intact.

Obama's executive order was an amendment to a 1969 order by President Richard Nixon which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of "race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap and age." A 1998 order by President Bill Clinton added "sexual orientation" to the list and "gender identity" was added under the Obama administration, according to Christian News.

Last week, reports have surfaced that Trump might issue an executive order that would protect religious liberties.

The copy of the draft executive order that was leaked to the media indicated that there would be exemptions for religious organizations that contract with the federal government or receive grants. The proposal would also provide exemptions for organizations that have objections to the Obamacare abortifacient and contraception mandate.

However, Pence did not confirm whether such an order is being prepared when he was asked about the matter on Sunday. He merely emphasized Trump's intent to repeal the Johnson Amendment, which prohibits churches and other non-profit organizations from speaking for or against political candidates.