DENVER — The Trump administration’s Department of Justice on Thursday filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court saying it believes Jack Phillips, a Lakewood baker and owner of Masterpiece Cake Shop, should be allowed to not serve gay couples if he so chooses for religious reasons.

Phillips’ high-profile case will be heard in front of the Supreme Court later this year.

According to the brief, the Justice Department writes “Forcing Phillips to create expression for and participate in a ceremony that violates his sincerely held religious beliefs invades his First Amendment rights.”

The issue has been a dispute for nearly four years.