Trump jokes about penalizing pastors who oppose him at faith conference -- live updates

[brooklynite]

Source: CBS

President Trump, speaking at the Faith and Freedom Coalition 2019 Road to Majority Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., Wednesday before heading off to Japan for the G20, touted the ways his administration is pushing conservative policies and protecting religious Americans.

Mr. Trump claimed that the "shameful attempt to oppress religious believers ended the day I took the oath of office."

"We're saying Merry Christmas again," the president said, claiming people were taking down signs before he came into office, but now people are using the phrase again.

Mr. Trump recalled how his administration has chosen not to enforce the Johnson Amendment, a law prohibiting churches and pastors from advocating for political candidates or risk their tax-exempt status. The president said that will remain the case "unless they speak against me, in which case I'll bring it back," adding that he's "only kidding." The president has not undone the law, like he sometimes claims he has, but rather told the Treasury Department it can enforce at its own discretion — leaving the possibility that the Trump administration could only penalize churches that oppose the president.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-speaks-at-faith-and-freedom-conference-today-2019-06-26-live-updates/

[Thomas Hurt]

1. Meh, they will just claim he was overcome by the holy spirit and began speaking in tongues.

[Iliyah]

2. That is not a joke.

[riversedge]

12. Sounds more like blackmail to me and Trump is mean enough to carrry out the blackmail

[Corgigal]

3. 25th?

He's losing his damn mind since Mueller said, yep coming in. I think in Mueller report the reason was, because I'm Fucked.

I hope adults are readying the net.

[murielm99]

4. They will penalize the black churches

who often have Democratic Party speakers.

[McKim]

9. They Will Be After Our Main Line Churches

They will be after our main line and liberal churches, dare the clergy complain about the mistreatment of migrant children! Steve Menuchin has a letter for you!!!!!

[underpants]

5. Two Corinthians walk into a bar...

Yeah we’re all just going around saying Merry Christmas in June

[keithbvadu2]

6. "has chosen not to enforce..." the rule of law.

[Wuddles440]

8. Once again..

he's really not joking, but just testing to see the type of reaction such musings generate with the citizenry. On a daily basis, we are literally watching the slow and deliberate destruction of our Constitution, the rule of law, and democracy. The Orange Anus continues to lay the foundation of his dictatorship before our very eyes and most people fail to be alarmed by his actions (or are complicit) - it's just "business" as usual to most. Just move along, nothing to be concerned about.

[keithbvadu2]

7. Donald Trump Wished Everyone 'Happy Holidays' When Obama Was Saying 'Merry Christmas'

Donald Trump Wished Everyone 'Happy Holidays' When Obama Was Saying 'Merry Christmas'

https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-barack-obama-christmas-758794

[BHDem53]

10. 25/45

[Initech]

11. At this point I'm so sick of him saying that it's OK to say Merry Christmas again...

That I know where I would shove the Christmas tree topper that I have - and it's extra pointy.

[riversedge]

13. The coalition he's talking to aims to instill Christian values in government.

Nothing Christian about the Trumpcamps!

Mr. Trump has catered to conservative religious groups, with evangelical voters being some of his strongest supporters. The coalition he's talking to aims to instill Christian values in government.

[trev]

16. The Faith and Freedom Coalition

is just the offspring of the Christian Coalition that helped elect Republicans in the 80s and 90s until they lost their tax-exempt status. Run by the same fanatic.

[Politicub]

14. The people he plays to are exceptionally stupid if they think that it's an issue that someone

says "happy holidays" or "merry Christmas."

The GOP is bonkers.

[Doreen]

15. That would mean he would have to penalize every single

pastor who teaches kindness and believes what he is doing to the children an everyone else is wrong. Hmm, there goes freedom of religion because if you are not of the religion who almost says trump is the god you are fucked.

[LiberalLovinLug]

17. ie...those that actually follow Christ's teachings, and implore their congregations to do so as well

[Flaleftist]

18. His "jokes" are an insight into his true desires.

Just like his "jokes" about wanting to be a dictator.

[Initech]

20. Trump has no sense of humor, so I can't imagine him joking about anything!

[Initech]

19. Our descent into a third world dictatorship continues.

[mahina]

21. Such a kidder, though you know sociopaths have no sense of humor.

I kid, I kid!

No seriously...