‘Deeply Problematic.’ Faith Leaders Express Concern Over Trump’s Political Attacks at National Prayer Breakfast – By David Crary (AP) / Feb 6 2020
(NEW YORK) — The National Prayer Breakfast – a Washington tradition since 1953 – is by custom a respite from partisan bickering. President Donald Trump shattered that tradition Thursday with aggressive remarks that buoyed his allies but dismayed a wide spectrum of faith leaders.
“A bipartisan prayer breakfast is the last place one would expect to find political attacks on opponents,” said the Rev. Tom Lambrecht, general manager of the conservative United Methodist magazine Good News. “Our country would benefit from a return to the kind of civility and grace reflected in Jesus’ words.”
Trump set the tone for his remarks even before speaking – holding up two newspapers with the headline “ACQUITTED” to herald the Senate’s vote Wednesday against removing him from office.
In a keynote address before Trump’s speech, Arthur Brooks, a Harvard professor and president of a conservative think tank, had decried a “crisis of contempt and polarization” and urged his listeners to ”love your enemies.”
“I don’t know if I agree with you,” said Trump. He then took a swipe at Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who had cited his faith in becoming the only Republican to vote for Trump’s removal.
Continue to article: https://time.com/5779538/trump-national-prayer-breakfast-politics/
