At the International Church of Las Vegas, where Trump is attending this morning, a worship band is singing while flag-wavers twirl American flags emblazoned with the Statue of Liberty. (Technically, a violation of the U.S. flag code)

No one onstage I can see is wearing masks.
Pastor Marc Goulet says, "I don't care what anyone says—I love my president."

Later his wife, Pastor Denise Goulet, recounts a story of Trump asking her during his last visit to the church if she enjoys what she does.

Then they shout at the POTUS that he's "doing a great job!"
Pastor Marc Goulet reads a list of things he wants to thank the president for.

Among them:

° Johnson amendment EO
° Giving "a voice to the unborn"
° Moving U.S. embassy to Jerusalem
° Choosing judges who "stand for conservative and Judeo-Christian values"
Also:

° "Helped make the USA become energy independent"(?)
° Supporting "school choice"
° "Bringing peace to the Middle East"
° "Bringing jobs back to America"
° Annnd coming to his church 3 times.
Goulet recounts his experience of leaving Trump's RNC acceptance speech at the White House.

Says he walked out and there as "a riot."

Note: Another evangelical at that event, Eric Metaxas, WAS filmed encountering an angry protester. He punched the protester in the face.
More on said encounter, during which the protestor was visibly angry but Metaxas — not the protester — was the physical aggressor. religionnews.com/2020/09/01/eri…
In a statement whose exact theological meaning is unclear, Goulet says that when "I appeal to the King, I appeal for him" — and then points at Trump.

It's hard to hear in this recording, but the crowd shouts in response for several seconds, Goulet urging them on.
Goulet closes out sermon asking the attendees to pray over Trump, his family.

Says he sees Trump with the Statue of Liberty, and says he'll fast once a week (for Trump) until the election and through Nov.

Congregation shouts Jesus over Trump as Goulet shouts "we back you 100%!"
As the sermon ends, the pastor hands Trump a book he wrote, then hands the president the mic.

Trump, encourages people to vote, saying there is "a group on the other side that doesn't agree with us."

Goulet laughs, then pumps his fist in response.
Goulet closes out the service by using Trump's presence as a metaphor for evangelism.

"We said yes to the president coming, will you say yes to Jesus?"

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More from @jackmjenkins

18 Oct
1. TIL that apparently Jon (not John) Voight has been producing videos — like this one RTed and now pinned by Trump — for some time.

It’s sometimes difficult to grasp his exact argument, but there’s a LOT of Christian nationalism in them.
2. “The Declaration of Independence is carved on the wall of heaven.”
3. And really this whole video, in which Voight becomes visibly emotional while delivering a prayer/blessing on what appears to be Rudy Giuliani’s podcast.
Read 4 tweets
6 Oct
Side note as we track many flouting CDC regulations: When GOP Sen. James Lankford learned he'd been exposed to COVID positive Sen. Lee, he literally *drove across the country alone* to maintain quarantine.

He remains in quarantine despite testing negative, citing CDC guidelines.
The response of Lankford, who holds an MDiv and worked in student ministry, is notable when compared to Trump officials as well as so many faith leaders.

Note: Per CNN, Lankford has been spotted in the past wearing masks when others refused to do so. cnn.com/2020/09/15/pol…
And to be clear, Lankford was quick to disclose his quarantining publicly (to us here at @RNS, and then later via Twitter).

He also disclosed his intention to keep quarantining despite the negative test result.
Read 5 tweets
6 Oct
1. John Hagee, an evangelical Trump advisor who has tested positive for COVID-19, didn't attend the Rose Garden event.

He DID attend a Sept 15 WH event—10 days before his diagnosis, w/in the 14-day incubation period.

Appears 100s were there—and largely flouted COVID precautions
2. Like, the headline for CNN's coverage at the time was literally "White House largely disregards coronavirus precautions during Abraham Accords signing."

And this approach they mention sure aged poorly...

cnn.com/2020/09/15/pol…
3. Since the event was all about brokering a peace deal, guests included people from *all over the world.*

Also lots of U.S. dignitaries.
Read 4 tweets
4 Oct
1. Thread of faith leaders who were at the SCOTUS Rose Garden event—w/Fr. John Jenkins of Notre Dame (in red), who's since tested COVID-19 positive—but aren't quarantining per CDC guidelines.

First is Paula White (in blue), who says she's tested negative. Image
2. Jack Graham, like White, preached today.

Per @emmillerwrites, he says he's "ridiculously healthy" but doesn't mention a COVID test. Also clearly isn't quarantining.

I *believe* this is him in yellow. Image
3. Jentezen Franklin is also preaching this morning, opening his sermon by praying for healing for the president and the First Lady.

Doesn't mention in that same introduction whether he's been tested, etc.

That's him in the green. ImageImage
Read 5 tweets
21 Sep
1. Look, there's a LOT of news right now, but this is something I think is worth paying attention to.

Faith leaders are condemning the arrest of an undocumented immigrant *on church grounds* by ICE, arguing it violates govt “sensitive locations” policy. religionnews.com/2020/09/21/ice…
2. This is a *significant* development.

For several years now, religious groups have participated in the “New Sanctuary Movement,” in which participants let undocumented immigrants at risk of deportation live in houses of worship in hopes their cases will be dropped.
3. The movement — which started under Obama — essentially holds the federal government to its word, relying on the fact that it the 2011-era internal policy will be enforced.

But under the Trump administration, things have escalated.
Read 13 tweets
20 Sep
In which the FEC commissioner declares that Church Militant is "one of the best sources for #Chatholic (sic) News available today" and does "not consider them fringe in any way."

This is…in response to CM tweeting out a *false* account of an exchange between me and Trainor?
*Technically, FEC Chairman, not commissioner.
Read 4 tweets

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