Trump Uses Prayer Breakfast To Slip In Jabs At Romney, Pelosi

US President Donald Trump speaks at the 68th annual National Prayer Breakfast on February 6, 2020 in Washington,DC. - President Donald Trump said Thursday that he suffered a "terrible ordeal" during his impeachment. ... US President Donald Trump speaks at the 68th annual National Prayer Breakfast on February 6, 2020 in Washington,DC. - President Donald Trump said Thursday that he suffered a "terrible ordeal" during his impeachment. In his first public comments since being acquitted by the Senate of abuse of office, he said he had been "put through a terrible ordeal by some very dishonest and corrupt people." "They have done everything possible to destroy us and by so doing very badly hurt our nation," he said at a televised prayer breakfast with a Who's Who of Washington power brokers. (Photo by Nicholas Kamm / AFP) (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

President Donald Trump used Thursday’s National Prayer Breakfast to accuse Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), a devout Mormon, of using his faith as cover for his decision to vote for conviction on one of the articles of impeachment.

“Weeks ago and again yesterday, courageous Republican politicians and leaders had the wisdom, fortitude, and strength to do what everyone knows was right,” he said. “I don’t like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong. Nor do I like people who say I pray for you when they know that’s not so.”

On Wednesday, when Romney addressed his impending vote on the Senate floor, he cited his oath before God to act as an impartial juror as one of the main catalysts for his ultimate decision.

Trump also seems to be slipping in a jab at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who often says that she’s praying for the President when they are at odds. In a letter he sent her just before the House voted to impeach him, he accused her of lying about praying for him. Pelosi, a lifelong Catholic, was in attendance at the prayer breakfast.

Trump also spent time crowing about his Wednesday impeachment acquittal, grinning and holding up the front page of the Washington Post emblazoned with the headline: “Trump Acquitted.”

He implicitly characterized Democrats as people he is trying to learn not to hate, to hearty laughter from the crowd.

“I’m sorry. I apologize. I am trying to learn,” he said. “Not easy. It’s not easy. When they impeach you for nothing, and you’re supposed to like them, it’s not easy, folks. I do my best.”

White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham previewed his remarks by predicting that he’d mention how “horribly” he was treated, and that people should “pay” for it.

Trump also gave a greatest hits tour of what he usually cites as his administration’s primary accomplishments, mentioning the stock market, unemployment rate and criminal reform law he signed in December 2018.

These remarks are likely a preview of the full-throated impeachment victory lap he will take from the White House at noon Thursday.

Latest News

Notable Replies

  1. “I don’t like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong. Nor do I like people who say I pray for you when they know that’s not so.”

    So sayeth The Chosen One.

    Amen and pass the tequila.

    If the National Prayer Breakfast is now going to be a campaign rally and petulant child grievance session, we might as well open up the bar.

  2. Avatar for rick rick says:

    Trump, weaponizing religion. Again.

  3. “I don’t like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong

    Pretty ironic stating that in front of “christens” who are worshiping a false god in Dump

  4. Trump Uses Prayer Breakfast To Slip In Jabs At Romney, Pelosi

    Slip? I think he pulled out a hammer.

  5. Then the devil went up to the top of the highest mountain;

    And revealed all the kingdoms of the world and their riches;

    “All this I will give unto thee,” he said, “if thou wilt but bow down and worship me”;

    And White Evangelicals fell on their knees faster than a shoe salesman on commission-only.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

262 more replies

Participants

Avatar for austin_dave Avatar for mattinpa Avatar for steviedee111 Avatar for rollinnolan Avatar for callmeeric Avatar for ralph_vonholst Avatar for lastroth Avatar for esva Avatar for leftcoaster Avatar for mtblaze Avatar for darrtown Avatar for junebug Avatar for southerndem Avatar for rickjones Avatar for greysea Avatar for coimmigrant Avatar for evave2 Avatar for timorwig Avatar for txlawyer Avatar for rascal_crone Avatar for rockitttla Avatar for dogselfie Avatar for kovie Avatar for Psych

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: