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Newsweek
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
How 'Hell Bent' Evangelical Theology Fuels America's Cruel Politics
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. We stand on the brink of a fundamental transformation of our country. President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill" is the most sweeping legislation in a generation, and it is not only a triumph for his administration—it is the culmination of American evangelical political aspirations: the fulfillment of Project 2025—a theocratic, authoritarian vision for America. This bill, now law, is also historically cruel. It will deepen inequality, gut health care and food aid for needy families, and escalate Trump's war on vulnerable immigrants. Then-Republican presidential candidate and now President Donald Trump speaks at the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority conference at the Washington Hilton on June 24, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Then-Republican presidential candidate and now President Donald Trump speaks at the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority conference at the Washington Hilton on June 24, 2023, in Washington, by and large, evangelical Christians are celebrating its passage. Christian ministry Intercessors for America released a prayer guide listing "10 Things to Rejoice About in the PASSED BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL." They praised cuts to Medicaid and SNAP as cracking down on "fraud and waste," and prayed that billions for ICE and detention centers would keep the border "protected ... from evil pouring in." Many of my secular friends are confounded. How could Jesus-loving people support a bill so harsh and regressive? "What exactly is Christian about this?" they ask. As someone who was not only raised in this world, but spent over eight years as an evangelical pastor, I'm sorry to say it makes perfect sense—once you understand the spirituality that shapes evangelical politics. In my upcoming book, Hell Bent, I describe how the evangelical belief in eternal punishment distorts their spirituality. Evangelical politics rest on the same punitive, exclusionary foundation—a politics of division and domination, fixated on the end of the world rather than the flourishing of the Earth. Their politics are "hell bent." Division Evangelical politics thrive on dividing the world into "us" and "them," "in" and "out." Citizen vs. non-citizen. Straight vs. gay. Their theology rests on heaven and hell, saved and damned, Christian and non-Christian. An evangelical recently told me, "If you think border walls are cruel, just wait until heaven—it's a gated community, and God won't let a single 'illegal immigrant' break through from hell!" When you believe God sends people to hell for simply not believing the "right" thing, it's not hard to justify "Alligator Alcatraz." When your spirituality is about borders and binaries, your politics will be too. Domination Evangelical Christians believe their way is the only way—every other way leads to hell. To many of them, advancing Christian dominance matters more than human compassion. Even many evangelical leaders who initially resisted Trump eventually embraced the power he offered their movement. For centuries, Christian colonizers justified conquest and slavery by claiming it advanced the gospel, no matter the human cost. That same logic animates evangelical politics today. When your spirituality is about the supremacy of your belief over others, your politics will be too. The End of the World Evangelical politics are fixated on the end of the world rather than its flourishing. One reason justice for Palestinians is brushed aside is that many evangelicals believe Israel must play its role in the end times—an idea shaped more by apocalyptic fiction novels, Left Behind, than the Bible. To them, ushering in the second coming is a more important geopolitical duty than world peace. One of my pastoral mentors' favorite phrases was, "It's all gonna burn." This mindset is common in evangelicalism: the next world is what truly matters. Yet in a very real sense, the world is already burning. Global temperatures are rising, wildfires and climate disasters threaten lives, yet I was raised being told climate change didn't matter because Jesus was coming back soon. The theologian Jürgen Moltmann wrote that by reducing salvation to the afterlife, Christians have "unconsciously abandoned nature to its disastrous exploitation by human beings." If this world burns, it's because we let it. The Politics of Jesus The good news is that the priorities of Jesus are the opposite of evangelicalism's. His way is not about division, but solidarity. Not domination, but compassion for the vulnerable. Not fixated on an apocalyptic fantasy, but on the flourishing of real human lives here and now. Jesus subverted the divisions of his day. When asked about the limits of neighbor-love, he told the story of the Good Samaritan—casting a despised outsider as the hero. Jesus did not seek greatness or dominance; he healed and served "the least of these," the most vulnerable in our midst. When Christianity cares more about cultural dominance than people, it stops reflecting the spirituality of Jesus. Thankfully, there's a long tradition of Christians who have resisted politics of division and domination, who can show us a way forward. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the greatest public theologians of our time, did not envision an eternal future where we are separated into heaven and hell, but where an interconnected humanity experiences a shared destiny, which he called "the world house." "We have inherited a large house, a great 'world house' in which we have to live together—black and white, Easterner and Westerner, Gentile and Jew, Catholic and Protestant, Muslim and Hindu—a family unduly separated in ideas, culture, and interest, who, because we can never again live apart, must learn somehow to live with each other in peace," he wrote. Jesus invites us to a world house of shared dignity—not a gated kingdom built on fear and punishment. American Christianity must reclaim this vision, before the hell-bent politics of evangelicalism create hell on Earth. Brian Recker is a public theologian, speaker, and writer exploring Christian spirituality beyond exclusion and fear. The son of a Baptist preacher and a graduate of the fundamentalist Bob Jones University, he spent eight years as an evangelical pastor before deconstructing his faith and embracing a more inclusive vision of God. His debut book, Hell Bent, releases September 30 from Tarcher. His Instagram is @berecker. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
New York Post
10-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Trump reflects on Butler assassination attempt one year later: Secret Service ‘had a bad day, and I think they'll admit that'
President Trump said the Secret Service 'had a bad day' when a would-be assassin's bullet came within a quarter-inch of killing him during a 2024 campaign rally in Butler, Pa. — but insisted that 'I have great confidence in these people.' 'Well, it was unforgettable,' Trump, 79, told daughter-in-law Lara Trump in an interview that will air on Fox News Channel's 'My View' Saturday night. 'I didn't know exactly what was going on. I got whacked. There's no question about that. And fortunately, I got down quickly. People were screaming, and I got down quickly, fortunately, because I think they shot eight bullets.' 5 The suspensions were revealed nearly a year after the shooting. AP 5 Then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is rushed offstage by US Secret Service agents after being grazed by a bullet during a rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania. Getty Images The president also praised the Secret Service counter-sniper — 'his name is David' — who 'did a fantastic job' taking down gunman Thomas Crooks. 5 Trump is escorted to a motorcade following an attempted assassination at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., on Saturday, July 13, 2024. AP 'He just, he went about his business. Less than just about four seconds, and that's when it all stopped and he got him perfectly from a very long distance. So we got a little bit lucky in that regard.' 5 A Senate report on the assassination attempt partly blamed 'operational failures' by the Secret Service for the shooting. NY Post 5 Crooks shot Trump in the ear, killed one person and injured two others when he opened fire at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa., on July 13, 2024. Obtained by the NY Post Late Wednesday, the Secret Service announced six officials had been punished for failings surrounding the Butler shooting, but Trump said he was 'satisfied' with the briefings he'd received since his near-death experience. 'They should have had somebody in the building [Crooks shot from], that was a mistake,' he said. 'They should have had communications with the local police, they weren't tied in, and they should have been tied in. So there were mistakes made … But I was satisfied in terms of the bigger plot, the larger plot, I was satisfied. 'And I have great confidence in these people. I know the people. And they're very talented, very capable. But they had a bad day. And I think they'll admit that. They had a rough day.'
Forbes
24-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Trump Store Selling ‘Trump 2028' Hats—Weeks After Trump Says He's ‘Not Joking' About Potential Third Term
The Trump Store, which is the official retail site of the Trump Organization, is selling a 'Trump 2028' ballcap—just weeks after President Donald Trump told NBC News he is 'not joking' about the possibility of running for a third term, which is not allowed under the Constitution. Then-Republican presidential nominee, President Donald Trump dances off stage at the conclusion of a ... More campaign rally at the J.S. Dorton Arena on Nov. 4, 2024. The red, 'Make America Great Again'-esque hats are selling for $50 on the Trump Sore website, and the product description reads: 'Make a statement with this Made in America Trump 2028 hat.' The hats' description does not have any direct indication whether they're meant to support a third term for Donald Trump, or have some other meaning, like the candidacy of one of his family members. Eric Trump, one of the president's sons and vice president of the Trump Organization, posted an Instagram story Thursday morning wearing the hat and linking to the website. Trump, who is serving his second term as president, has not ruled out the possibility of running for a third term, saying 'there are methods' that can make it possible, despite the Constitution saying no one can serve more than two terms as president. The White House referred Forbes to the Trump Organization when asked to comment, and the Trump Organization did not immediately respond. This story is breaking and will be updated. Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We're launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day's headlines. Text 'Alerts' to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
Newsweek
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Trump Endorses Both Republican Candidates in Arizona Governor's Race
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump on Monday endorsed both Republican candidates in the Arizona gubernatorial race. Newsweek has reached out to Representative Andy Biggs' office and to Karrin Taylor Robson via Valley Partnership by email Monday night. Why It Matters Trump historically touts successful endorsements as a means of political clout and savviness on social media and during speeches. Trump won the swing state in the 2024 presidential election but has notably backed candidates like Kari Lake and Abe Hamadeh, who did not win their elections. The GOP gubernatorial midterm primary next year will determine Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs' opponent and pose a litmus test for voter sentiment on Trump in the key battleground state of Arizona. What To Know In a post to Truth Social on Monday, Trump said, "I like Karrin Taylor Robson of Arizona a lot, and when she asked me to Endorse her, with nobody else running, I Endorsed her, and was happy to do so." Trump continued, "When Andy Biggs decided to run for Governor, quite unexpectedly, I had a problem — Two fantastic candidates, two terrific people, two wonderful champions, and it is therefore my Great Honor TO GIVE MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT TO BOTH. Either one will never let you down. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Biggs is a longtime MAGA supporter and ally of the president and has been in Congress since 2016. Taylor Robson has been a conservative activist in the state and a business leader. She previously ran for governor in the state in 2022 but was beaten in the primary by Lake. Then-Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump is seen speaking during a rally at Mullett Arena on October 24, 2024, in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by) Then-Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump is seen speaking during a rally at Mullett Arena on October 24, 2024, in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by) What People Are Saying Biggs on X, formerly Twitter, reacting to Trump's endorsement on Monday: "Thank you, @realDonaldTrump! It's been an honor to support you and fight for your agenda since 2016. I look forward to fighting along side you as Governor of Arizona, the greatest state in the nation!" Taylor Robson posted to X on Monday, reacting to Trump's endorsement: "THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT! Today, @realDonaldTrump reaffirmed what he told me in December when he urged me to run on stage: That he supports me & has fully endorsed my Arizona First campaign. I cannot wait to be on the 9th floor as a partner to his America First agenda. Onward!" Charlie Kirk, CEO and founder of conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA, posted to X on Monday: "Andy Biggs will easily win the primary and will be the next Governor of Arizona. Let's go!" Lake posted to X on Monday: "Wow! President Trump just endorsed Andy Biggs for Arizona Governor. Congratulations @andybiggs4az. MAGA!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸" What Happens Next Arizona's primary election is set for August 4, 2026. This is a developing story that will be updated with additional information.
USA Today
06-02-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Legislation would allow cases against federal, state officials to be heard in courts across the state
Legislation would allow cases against federal, state officials to be heard in courts across the state MADISON - Lawsuits against prominent government officials including state lawmakers, the Wisconsin governor, and the U.S. president could be moved to any county across the state, under a proposal being circulated in the state Capitol. The Republican-authored proposed bill would allow a case involving government officials filed in larger cities in Wisconsin, which lean politically toward Democrats, to be randomly assigned to any of the other circuit courts across the state at the request of one of the parties or intervenors in the case, who must be government officials. The officials would be defined as state lawmakers, the state Legislature, either house of the state Legislature, legislative committees, the governor, the lieutenant governor, the attorney general, the secretary of state, the state treasurer, the state superintendent, state department officials, the state ethics and elections commissions, the president and vice president and any member of the state's federal delegation. More: Wisconsin Supreme Court hears case that could end discredited gay conversion therapy Bill authors Rep. David Steffen of Howard and Sen. Jesse James of Thorp said the measure would ensure "fair and independent decisions." "Unfortunately, the presence of partisan power has become overwhelmingly obvious in court decisions involving partisan officials," the lawmakers said in a memo released Wednesday seeking support for the measure. "While the officials and entities that make up our branches of government represent the broad array of values and viewpoints that exist across Wisconsin, because of our capital's location in Madison, circuit court decisions involving these parties often represent, or appear to represent, just the viewpoint of the Dane County Circuit Court," the lawmakers said. The bill expands on a 2011 law that overhauled the state's court system and gave plaintiffs suing the state their pick of venue in Wisconsin. Under state law before 2011, actions brought against the state went to Dane County Circuit Court unless otherwise provided for in the law. Republican lawmakers, who often criticize Dane County judges as too liberal, wanted to change the law to allow plaintiffs to pick whichever county he or she wanted. Then-Republican Gov. Scott Walker signed the measure into law. Under the law, the trial court's decision must be appealed to an appellate court in a different region and the party choosing to appeal would select the appeals court. More: How a case before the Wisconsin Supreme Court could hamper the Tyco PFAS charges The bill would also apply to President Donald Trump and future presidents. Presidents are not often named in state lawsuits but following the 2020 election during which Trump falsely claimed he won Wisconsin, Trump sued former President Joe Biden in Wisconsin to overturn the election result favoring Biden. The state Supreme Court rejected Trump's argument. Gov. Tony Evers' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Laura Schulte and Molly Beck can be reached at leschulte@ and
