President Obama Comes Out in Support of Teen Arrested for Homemade Clock


On Monday, a 14-year-old high school student in Texas was arrested for bringing a homemade clock to school. School and police officials sprung into action after they became convinced that Ahmed Mohamed’s clock was a hoax bomb, and actually arrested him—despite the teenager’s repeated insistence that his invention was just a clock. Many have taken to social media to lend their support to Mohamed, who remains suspended.

Joining the wave on Wednesday was none other than President Barack Obama, who just tweeted the following:

Obama’s comment joins a chorus of supporters, including Hillary Clinton, who earlier today tweeted for Ahmed to “stay curious and keep building.”

Republican presidential hopefuls, however, remain silent. So please, Jake Tapper, broach the topic during tonight’s GOP debate. As our own Kevin Drum explains, it might even give GOP candidates a shot at demonstrating that unlike their party’s current front-runner, “occasionally they care about obvious bigotry like this.” 

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You've watched it happen in real time: corporate media cutting staff, killing stories, and bending to power. The giants of American media have owners to protect, and the truth pays the price.

None of it should surprise us. The problem with American journalism has always been that we entrusted this vital public service to for-profit companies whose allegiance could shift with the political winds and the bottom line.

That is why Mother Jones is independent from billionaires, corporations, and any other deep-pockets owner—and has been since we were founded 50 years ago. We’re only answering to our readers. To you.

We’re funded by our readers too. This week, we have a generous $50,000 match for all donations, meaning that your donation—and your impact—will be doubled. Gifts from readers like you help keep us fiercely independent and telling the truth about those in power.

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