Ben Carson Supports Confederate Flag Certainly Wouldnt Take it Down Where

Ben Carson made his position on the Confederate flag pretty clear during a campaign stop this week. The Republican presidential candidate said he certainly wouldn’t take it down wherever it was being displayed. His remarks came as the flag continued to spark arguments across the South and in national politics, nearly a year after South Carolina lowered it from the statehouse grounds.

Carson framed his view around history and states’ rights rather than symbols of division. He told the crowd that removing flags or monuments felt like an overreach by outsiders who didn’t understand local traditions. Supporters at the event nodded along, though a few reporters on hand noted the comments drew some scattered boos from others in the room.

The former neurosurgeon has tried to keep his campaign focused on personal responsibility and limited government. Still, the flag question pulled him into a debate that has tripped up other candidates. Carson didn’t back away when pressed afterward, repeating that he saw no reason for federal or national pressure to force changes on state or local property.

Critics quickly pointed out that Carson’s stance could hurt his appeal among black voters, a group he has worked to reach with his personal story of rising from poverty. Campaign aides pushed back by saying the candidate was simply being consistent about not letting Washington dictate cultural matters. The exchange highlighted how even long-settled symbols kept resurfacing in the 2016 race.