WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump urged a group of evangelicals to actively participate in the 2024 election, emphasizing the importance of their votes by saying, “go and vote, Christians, please!”
During a speech to politically influential evangelical Christians in Washington, Trump expressed support for displaying the Ten Commandments in schools and other public places. He received applause for mentioning the new law in Louisiana that mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom.
Referring to the commandment “Thou shalt not steal,” Trump remarked, “It’s incredible stuff. They don’t want it to go up. It’s a crazy world.”
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Trump previously endorsed the Ten Commandments law on his social media platform, stating his support for the display of the Commandments in various settings. He emphasized the significance of the Commandments in shaping the nation’s moral compass.
Despite facing legal challenges and controversies, Trump continues to enjoy strong support from evangelical Christians who view him as a champion for their beliefs, particularly after his efforts to appoint conservative Supreme Court justices.
While Trump’s stance on national abortion bans differs from some within the evangelical movement, his impact on the appointment of Supreme Court justices has been lauded by supporters. He emphasized the importance of individual states deciding on abortion-related policies.
Trump acknowledged the complexities of the abortion issue and the political challenges it poses for Republicans. He has refrained from explicitly stating his position on implementing a national abortion ban, choosing to leave the decision to states.
Despite differing opinions within the movement on specific policy issues, evangelical voters overwhelmingly supported Trump in the 2020 election. The Faith & Freedom Coalition plans to mobilize support for Trump and other Republican candidates in the upcoming election.
Trump’s remarks at the evangelical gathering highlighted his concerns about threats to Christianity and the nation’s values. He also touched on immigration issues, proposing a humorous solution involving migrants in a sporting event.
In response to Trump’s comments, Biden’s campaign criticized his rhetoric and actions, characterizing him as a threat to American freedoms. The campaign emphasized the need to prevent Trump from returning to the White House.
Later, Trump was scheduled to hold a rally in Philadelphia as part of his campaign efforts.
Associated Press writers Tom Strong and Amelia Thomson DeVeaux contributed to this report.
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