Home Christian News Evangelical Leaders React to ‘unAmerican’ Capitol Riot

Evangelical Leaders React to ‘unAmerican’ Capitol Riot

capitol riot
Rioters clash with police trying to enter Capitol building through the front doors in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021. Rioters broke windows and breached the Capitol building in an attempt to overthrow the results of the 2020 election. Police used buttons and tear gas grenades to eventually disperse the crowd. Rioters used metal bars and tear gas as well against the police. (Photo by Lev Radin/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images)

Yesterday’s events in Washington D.C. came as a surprise to many, but not to others. Evangelical leaders, both those who supported President Donald Trump in his bid for reelection and those who did not reacted to the violence that broke out inside and surrounding the U.S. Capitol building. The Capitol Riot, as it is increasingly being referred to, represents a dark and sad day in recent history.

Those with a track record of supporting the president, whether it was endorsing  his reelection campaign or his effort to have the results of the election overturned, focused on condemning the actions of some of the president’s supporters yesterday. On the other hand, evangelical leaders who have gone on record warning fellow Christians about the problems they’ve observed with the President’s behavior and particularly his rhetoric, were more pointed in their comments.

Evangelical Leaders React to Capitol Riot

Franklin Graham: President of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Ronnie Floyd: President of Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee

Thabiti Anyabwile: Pastor at Anacostia River Church

Johnnie Moore: CEO of The KAIROS Company and President of The Congress of Christian Leaders and Samuel Rodriguez: President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and Senior Pastor of New Season Christian Worship Center

Dr. Robert Jeffress: Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church and adjunct at Dallas Theological Seminary

John Hagee: Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Church

Tony Evans: Senior Pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship and President of The Urban Alternative

J.D. Greear: Pastor of Summit Church and President of the Southern Baptist Convention

Rick Warren: Senior Pastor of Saddleback Church

Russell Moore: President of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission

Daniel Darling: Senior Vice President for Communications at NRB

Albert Mohler: President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Beth Moore: Author, speaker, teacher, and founder of Living Proof Ministries

Jack Graham: Senior Pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church

Lecrae: Recording artist, author, and President of Reach Records

Kirk Franklin: Gospel musician, Grammy Award winner, and choir director

Dr. Eric Mason: Lead pastor of Epiphany Fellowship and founder and president of Thriving.

Greg Laurie: Senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship

Costi Hinn: Pastor at Redeemer Bible Church

Carey Nieuwhof: The founding pastor of Connexus Church

Jentezen Franklin: Senior pastor of Free Chapel and Director of JFM Media.

Ray Ortlund, Pastor of Immanuel Church and President of Renewal Ministries.

Mika Edmondson, Pastor Christ Presbyterian Church.


Further Reading:
Violence at the Capitol Overshadows Jericho March’s Agenda
Pat Robertson: It’s Time to Tell Trump He’s Had His Day
Beth Moore: Trumpism Is the Most ‘Seductive & Dangerous’ Thing I’ve Seen
Trump Evangelical Advisers Back Voting Challenges But Stop Short of Alleging Fraud
Russell Moore Calls for Evangelicals to Dump Trump