Roy Moore once said it would “eliminate many problems” if the US got rid of every constitutional amendment after the first 10.

Those amendments include ones that abolished slavery and allowed black people and women to vote.

The comments could give more ammunition to Moore’s Democratic opponent Doug Jones.

Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore said in 2011 that it would “eliminate many problems” for the US government if it got rid of every constitutional amendment besides the first 10.

Moore, a Republican, made the comments during an appearance on “Aroostook Watchmen,” a radio show that traffics in conspiracy theories. CNN uncovered audio of the comments and published them on Sunday.

“That would eliminate many problems,” Moore said on the show, after the host proposed a constitutional amendment that would void all but the first 10. “You know people don’t understand how some of these amendments have completely tried to wreck the form of government that our forefathers intended.”

Amendments passed after the first 10 include the 13th, which abolished slavery; the 14th, which guaranteed citizenship for former slaves; the 15th, which allowed black people to vote; and the 19th, which allowed women to vote.

The comments could give additional ammunition to Doug Jones, Moore’s Democrat rival in Tuesday’s special election. Jones has seen his poll numbers spike since numerous women accused Moore of sexually harassing them or pursuing relationships with them while they were teenagers and he was in his 30s.

Moore’s campaign spokesman told CNN that Moore does not believe all the amendments after the first 10 should be eliminated.

Lees ook op Business Insider AH gaat met nieuwe bezorgservice scherper concurreren met Picnic – topvrouw Marit van Egmond gaat zelf ‘liever naar de winkel’

“Once again, the media is taking a discussion about the overall framework for the separation of powers as laid out in the constitution to twist Roy Moore’s position on specific issues,” Brett Doster told CNN. “Roy Moore does not now nor has he ever favored limiting an individual’s right to vote, and as a judge, he was noted for his fairness and for being a champion of civil rights.

“Judge Moore has expressed concern, as many other conservatives have, that the historical trend since the ratification of the Bill of Rights has been for federal empowerment over state empowerment.”

Moore is already under fire for another set of racially-tinged comments he made in September. When asked at a September campaign rally when he thought America was last great, Moore replied, “I think it was great at the time when families were united – even though we had slavery – they cared for one another…. Our families were strong, our country had a direction.”