Tear gas for a few photos: Reactions to Trump photos in front of church
Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters so Trump could take a photo in front of a church in Washington. Prominent church figures in America are outraged. But religious Americans are among Trump's staunchest supporters.
In a scene that Americans will not soon forget, US President Donald Trump allows tear gas to be fired to clear the sidewalk leading to the church near the White House. Police violently remove peaceful protesters from the road. All so that Trump and his entourage can symbolically stand in front of the church for a photo, with a Bible in hand but without a prayer or even a word of reconciliation.
The photo was widely shared and drew sharp criticism, especially from Trump's rival Joe Biden, a devout Catholic. Biden said: "All this for a photo op! In front of the oldest church in Washington! It seems that the president is more interested in power and the satisfaction of his supporters (his base) than in the well-being of the people."
But what was clearly intended to be a show of strength and an expression of solidarity with Christians in the country was met with criticism from many church representatives.
Abuse of sacred symbols
Bishop Michael Corey, president of the Episcopal Church in the United States (the Protestant Episcopal Church), wrote on Twitter, “Trump has used the Holy Bible and the church for his own partisan political purposes.”
Another bishop, Marian Edgar Bode, also called Trump's message "completely contrary to the teachings of the church" in an interview with CNN: "His use of the Bible and his staging against the church is an abuse of sacred symbols. Trump has appropriated God and the church for his own purposes. His words and actions are contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ."
Another pastor, who himself participated in the peaceful protests in Washington, said in an interview with CNN: "Trump turned a sacred place into a battlefield."
Archbishop Wilton Gregory has also strongly criticized the US president.
Pastor Robert Jeffers praises Donald Trump
In contrast, Robert Jeffers, a pastor from Dallas, Texas, praised the US president and his choice of church for the photo. He is an evangelical Christian who has made very harsh statements about other religions and is a staunch supporter of Donald Trump.
In defense of the US president and his action against the church, he said: "The president's behavior was absolutely correct. By standing up to the church, he showed not only his solidarity with this church but with all churches in the country and made clear his determination to protect the church from those who try to destroy it."
Republicans, including evangelical Trump supporters, continue to stand united behind the US president, and many experts believe they will not stop supporting Trump anytime soon.
Source: DW
