I was raised in a Christian home. My father was a minister, and I was taught from a young age that following Jesus meant caring for the poor, feeding the hungry and telling the truth even when it was hard.
I am also a military widow and raised my children on my own. I know firsthand how important compassion and integrity are in both family and public life.
That is why I cannot understand how so many Republicans today bow to Donald Trump and even dare to call him a “Christian man.” To suggest that he “serves God” is not only laughable, it is blasphemy. My Bible tells me that we will know them by their fruits and nothing in Trump’s words or actions shows the love, humility or sacrifice of Christ.
I used to vote Republican because I thought they were the party that followed Jesus and the Bible. But not anymore.
When local leaders like Sean Swope stand by Trump, they are not standing by Christ. They vote against programs that would help the poor, the sick and struggling families like mine. They boast about faith, but then refuse to act on the most basic Christian command: “Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.”
And let’s not forget the company Trump keeps. He surrounded himself with people connected to Jeffrey Epstein and pedophiles, and yet Republican leaders defend him without shame. For anyone to call this “Christian leadership” is offensive to every person who actually tries to follow Jesus.
Where are the true Republicans? Where is the party of Lincoln, who spoke of “charity for all” and who believed in uniting the country, not tearing it apart? If Abraham Lincoln saw what has become of his party, he would be ashamed. And I believe Jesus would be, too.
So I say shame on those who support Trump while pretending to be Christian leaders. Shame on Sean Swope for pretending to follow Christ while he bows to Trump. And shame on every politician who claims to serve God while serving a man who mocks God daily.
It’s hard to take Sean Swope’s commentary about faith seriously when he’s wearing a Trump hat like it’s a crown of righteousness. He loves to talk about Jesus, family values and moral integrity but somehow forgets the parts about humility, compassion and truth. Watching him boast about being a Christian while proudly aligning himself with a man who mocks the vulnerable and glorifies greed is more than frustrating, it’s heartbreaking.
If faith is supposed to be about following Christ’s example, then maybe Swope should start by taking off the Trump hat and picking up a Bible.
I hope one day we will see real Republican leaders again, ones who follow the constitution, defend the truth and actually live the faith they claim to profess. Until then, I cannot support a party that bows to Trump.
Michelle Martin
Centralia
