Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson may have been slammed by much of the world's media and suspended from the reality television show by A&E, but this hasn't prevented the controversial Robertson patriarch from being publically defended by religious groups and high profile political figures. Robertson caused waves of outrage after homophobic and racist comments made in a recent interview with GQ magazine.

Duck Dynasty Clan
The DD Clan: John Luke, Sadie, Korie & Willie.

When asked by GQ what he thought was sinful, Robertson said, "Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men." Denying that being gay was "logical," Robertson explained his view by arguing "There's more there! She's got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I'm saying?" he was quoted as saying. "But hey, sin: it's not logical, my man. It's just not logical," the 67 year-old added.

The hunter and businessman also moved the topic on to the mistreatment of black people in America, particularly in the South. "I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any black person. Not once. Where we lived was all farmers. The blacks worked for the farmers," Robertson said. "I'm with the blacks, because we're white trash. We're going across the field ... They're singing and happy. I never heard one of them, one black person, say, 'I tell you what: These doggone white people' -- not a word! ... Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: Were they happy? They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues."


Placing him "under hiatus from filming indefinitely," network A&E said the comments reflected Robertson's "personal beliefs" and "in no way reflect those of A&E." The Louisiana-born personality was also slammed by outraged Twitter users all over the world for his controversial comments. However, against the deluge of criticism, key figures have emerged to defend Robertson and dampen the fury.

"Phil Robertson and his family are great citizens of the State of Louisiana," the Indian-born governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal, said in a statement. "The politically correct crowd is tolerant of all viewpoints, except those they disagree with."

"This is a free country and everyone is entitled to express their views. In fact, I remember when TV networks believed in the First Amendment. It is a messed up situation when Miley Cyrus gets a laugh, and Phil Robertson gets suspended," the politician added.

Willie Jase Robertson
Phil's Sons, Willie & Jase Robertson.

Texan senator Ted Cruz wrote a Facebook paragraph condemning the suspension of the Duck Dynasty star: "If you believe in free speech or religious liberty, you should be deeply dismayed over the treatment of Phil Robertson. Phil expressed his personal views and his own religious faith; for that, he was suspended from his job," Cruz wrote.

Former governor of Alaska Sarah Palin is another to have to come out on Robertson's side. "Free speech is an endangered species," she wrote on Facebook, captioning a photo of herself posing with the Dynasty clan. "Those 'intolerants' hatin' and taking on the Duck Dynasty patriarch for voicing his personal opinion are taking on all of us."

What's more, Robertson may have been suspended but the fifth season, which is due to begin airing in January may feature Phil in some previously taped segments, according to a network rep, via Parade.