Trump is now attacking Christianity Today — and its editor is doubling down
The prominent evangelical magazine Christianity Today published an editorial Thursday arguing that President Trump's actions in Ukraine are both "a violation of the Constitution" and "profoundly immoral." That "Trump should be removed from office," wrote editor-in-chief Mark Galli, "is not a matter of partisan loyalties but loyalty to the Creator of the Ten Commandments." Trump reacted about about as you'd expect.
On Friday's New Day, CNN's John Berman read Trump's tweet to Galli and asked for his reaction. Most people consider Christianity Today "a pretty centrist magazine in the evangelical world," he said. "We're certainly not far-right, and I suppose anyone who's not far-right, he would consider far-left." Galli seemed surprised that Berman found his judgment of Trump's moral behavior more notable than his call for Trump's ouster. Trump's immoral behavior is broadly acknowledged, he said. "The question is, when does his behavior — which is described as immoral, accurately — rise to the level where he's no longer fit to serve office? And to me, we crossed that line with the impeachment hearings."
Galli addressed in his editorial Trump's argument that his evangelical-friendly policies merit turning a blind eye to his unconstitutional and immoral acts, and he found it unpersuasive. He elaborated in an interview with The Atlantic's Emma Green. Galli compared Trump to a verbally abusive husband who "starts to become violent, and dangerously violent. He's still a good provider. He still loves the kids. But nobody would say, 'You need to weigh this!'" Trump has "done some good that I am grateful for," he said. "But the moral scales no longer balance. It's time for him to get out of the house, so to speak."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Green asked if Galli was motivated by his "belief that the association with Trump is going to do long-term damage to the ability of Christians to share the Gospel." "Oh my God," Galli said. "It's going to be horrific."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'The House under GOP rule has become a hostile workplace'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Trump gets $289M break, first criminal trial date
Speed Read The former president's fraud bond has been reduced to $175 million from $464 million
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US-Israel rift widens after UN cease-fire resolution
Speed Read The U.S. declined to veto a U.N. resolution calling for a two-week "immediate cease-fire" in Gaza
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New Jersey first lady exits race to replace Menendez
Speed Read Tammy Murphy dropping out paves the way for Rep. Andy Kim to become the state's next senator
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Russia blames Ukraine for deadly ISIS Moscow attack
Speed Read Putin has ignored the Islamic State's claim of responsibility for the concert hall shooting
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'A "conservative voice" does not spread misinformation for political advantage'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Barack Obama 'behind Starmer transformation'
Under The Radar The former US president urged Labour leader to 'talk more openly'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Trump-RNC pact puts Trump legal bills ahead of GOP
Speed Read The former president has struck a deal with the Republican National Committee to put donations toward his legal bills
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published