Pro-Trump evangelical preacher Franklin Graham says the 10 Republicans who voted to impeach the president were like Judas who received 'thirty pieces of silver from Pelosi'
Franklin Graham, the evangelical preacher, son of the Rev. Billy Graham and ardent supporter of President Trump, compared the 10 Republican lawmakers who voted in favor of impeachment on Wednesday to Judas, who betrayed Jesus Christ.
In a lengthy Facebook post, Graham lashed out at the 10 members of Congress who joined the Democrats to impeach the president a second time - the only time in US history that a sitting commander-in-chief was impeached twice.
‘Shame, shame on the ten Republicans who joined with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats in impeaching President Trump yesterday,’ Graham wrote on Thursday.
He then added: ‘It makes you wonder what the thirty pieces of silver were that Speaker Pelosi promised for this betrayal.’
According to the New Testament, Judas Iscariot, a disciple of Jesus, is said to have received 30 silver coins from the Pharisees in exchange for agreeing to hand him over before the Last Supper.
Franklin Graham, the evangelical preacher and ardent supporter of President Trump, compared the 10 Republican lawmakers who voted in favor of impeachment on Wednesday to Judas, who betrayed Jesus Christ
‘Shame, shame on the ten Republicans who joined with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats in impeaching President Trump yesterday,’ Graham wrote on Thursday. He then added: ‘It makes you wonder what the thirty pieces of silver were that Speaker Pelosi promised for this betrayal.’
The House Republicans who voted 'yes' on the impeachment are: (clockwise from top left) Dan Newhouse, Peter Meijer, Tom Rice, Anthony Gonzalez, David Valadao, Jaime Herrera Beutler, Fred Upton, John Katko, Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney
Jesus was then tried and punished before he was handed over to the Romans for crucifixion.
Graham wrote in his Facebook page that while Trump is not a perfect person, he leaves office with many accomplishments to his credit.
‘After all that he has done for our country, you would turn your back and betray him so quickly? We have never had a president like him in my lifetime,’ the son of the late preacher Billy Graham wrote.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED 'YES' ON IMPEACHMENT
Liz Cheney - Wyoming. Republican royalty and House Number 3
'There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution.'
Adam Kinzinger - Illinois. Outspoken Trump critic and Air Force veteran
'If these actions are not worthy of impeachment, then what is an impeachable offense?'
John Katko - New York. Holds swing district and co-chairs moderate group
'To allow the president of the United States to incite this attack without consequence is a direct threat to the future of our democracy.'
Fred Upton - Michigan. 14-term rep who co-chairs moderate group
'It is time to say: Enough is enough.'
Jaime Herrera Beutler - Washington
Five-term rep in deep blue state
'The President of the United States incited a riot. That riot led to five deaths.'
Dan Newhouse - Washington
One of only two GOP reps from state
'Turning a blind eye to this brutal assault on our Republican is not an option.'
Peter Meijer - Michigan
Holds Gerald Ford's seat
'There was no such courage from our President who betrayed and misled millions.'
Tom Rice - South Carolina
Voted to overturn election results
'I have backed this President through thick and thin for four years. This utter failure is inexcusable.'
Anthony Gonzalez - Ohio
'The President of the United States helped organize and incite a mob that attacked the United States Congress in an attempt to prevent us from completing our solemn duties.'
Former NFL starting wide receiver
David Valadao - California
'His inciting rhetoric was un-American, abhorrent, and absolutely an impeachable offense. It’s time to put country over politics.'
Reclaimed district from Dems in 2020
‘He gave us lower taxes, a strong economy, and low unemployment. He made NATO take notice and pay their own way.
‘He had the guts to take on North Korea and meet with their leader personally.
‘He didn't let China walk all over us. Just his Mideast peace initiatives in the last couple of months deserve a Nobel Peace Prize.
‘He has defended religious liberty like no president before him, and that matters to all people of faith ... He was also the most pro-life president we have ever had.’
Graham accused Democrats of being driven to impeach the president ‘because they hate him’ and he slammed the Republican lawmakers who voted for impeachment, saying they ‘joined in the feeding frenzy.’
Graham added: ‘President Trump isn't a perfect person. I don't support or agree with some of the things the President said and did the last couple of weeks.
‘January 6 was a low point in his presidency.
‘We knew he had flaws when he ran for office in 2016.
‘But I, and millions of others, voted for him because of the platform and policies he promised. I still support those.
‘The Democrats have been trying to get rid of the President since the day he took office.
‘What they did yesterday only further divides our nation.
‘I hope President-elect Biden will keep his word and work for unity as he has said.’
On Twitter, there was angry reaction to Graham's comments, with some saying that comparing Trump to Jesus was 'heresy.'
One Twitter user responded to Graham, writing: 'You make the baby Jesus cry.'
Another commenter wrote: 'Comparing Republican lawmakers who voted for Trump's impeachment to Judas’ betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver?? Seriously??
'I am sad that people I know appear to be radicalized and behaving nothing like Christ.
'They are behaving like their idol, Trump.'
Another Twitter user called Graham 'Pharisee of Pharisees.'
The commenter wrote: 'This statement, for a man who fought for the impeachment of Bill Clinton & said Clinton forfeited his right to be president, is the height of Christian hypocrisy.
'Such actions raised Jesus’ ire more than anything else.'
'Let's call this what it is - heresy,' wrote another Twitter user.
Another Twitter user wrote: 'The late Rev. Billy Graham was friend and counselor to many presidents of both parties, but I doubt he'd ever have stomached comparing one directly to Jesus Christ.'
Another Twitter user wrote: 'Several days ago, someone asked what Franklin Graham was doing post coup attempt.
'I said that he was probably at home praying for theocratic dictatorship. I was right.'
The House of Representatives voted on Wednesday 232-197 to impeach Trump for a second time for 'incitement of insurrection,' exactly a week after the MAGA mob stormed Capitol Hill.
The Democratic majority was joined by 10 Republicans, making the House's move bipartisan - unlike Trump's first impeachment less than 13 months ago.
On Twitter, there was angry reaction to Graham's comments, with some saying that comparing Trump to Jesus was 'heresy.'
One Twitter user responded to Graham, writing: 'You make the baby Jesus cry.'
Another Twitter user wrote: 'Several days ago, someone asked what Franklin Graham was doing post coup attempt. I said that he was probably at home praying for theocratic dictatorship. I was right.'
Another commenter wrote: 'Comparing Republican lawmakers who voted for Trump's impeachment to Judas’ betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver?? Seriously?? I am sad that people I know appear to be radicalized and behaving nothing like Christ'
Another Twitter user called Graham 'Pharisee of Pharisees. This statement, for a man who fought for the impeachment of Bill Clinton & said Clinton forfeited his right to be president, is the height of Christian hypocrisy. Such actions raised Jesus’ ire more than anything else'
Another Twitter user wrote: 'The late Rev. Billy Graham was friend and counselor to many presidents of both parties, but I doubt he'd ever have stomached comparing one directly to Jesus Christ.'
But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that he would not bring the Senate back before January 19, the day before Biden's inauguration.
It means that Trump cannot be removed from office before he leaves anyway.
Just before he entered history as the first president to be impeached twice, the White House put out a statement from Trump, which called for peace but did not address his impeachment.
'In light of reports of more demonstrations, I urge that there must be NO violence, NO lawbreaking and NO vandalism of any kind. That is not what I stand for, and it is not what America stands for. I call on ALL Americans to help ease tensions and calm tempers. Thank You,' the president's statement said.
Later, after the impeachment vote, Trump put out a video message.
The call for calm did nothing to quell a Republican rebellion against him, led by the House number three Liz Cheney, which ended with a total of 10 GOP members voting to impeach Trump.
Halfway through the debate another defiant Republican, Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington, said: 'Turning a blind eye to this brutal assault on our Republic is not an option.
'A vote against impeachment is a vote to validate this unacceptable violence we witnessed in our nation's capital. It is also a vote to condone President Trump's inaction. He did not strongly condemn the attack nor did he call in reinforcements when our officers were overwhelmed.'
Republican House number three Liz Cheney (seen right) led 10 of the House GOP into voting for impeachment - but is now facing a backlash from Trump ultra-loyalists. She was seen speaking to Jamie Raskin, one of the key Democrats pushing for Trump's impeachment and removal
'Our country needed a leader and President Trump failed to fulfill his oath of office,' Newhouse added. His floor speech got Democratic applause.
The 10 votes make the impeachment the most bipartisan ever, another historical marker which also creates a deep split in the Republican party which is unlikely to end with Trump's departure.
The vote ended with Pelosi, the House Speaker, in the chair, declaring the count of 232 to 197 - but with silence from the Democrats and handful of Republicans still present. Pelosi had warned her members not to celebrate the outcome.
'We're heartbroken over what this means to our country,' Pelosi said at the engrossment ceremony for the article of impeachment that took place Wednesday evening. 'To have a president who incites insurrection.'
She said she 'sadly' signed the documents.
It concluded a day of debate in which Pelosi had called Trump a 'clear and present danger,' as Democrats said they were standing in a 'crime scene' and demanded that Trump pay a price for a campaign of 'lies and conspiracy theories' which had fomented violence.
Trump's Republican allies did not defend Trump's behavior, but instead pitched censuring the president or launching a 9/11-style commission, more fitting punishments they argued for someone who was already leaving office.
Rep. Chip Roy, a Texas Republican, went as far to say Trump's conduct was impeachable, but wouldn't vote for the article, calling it 'flawed.'
The Republican revolt was led by Cheney, the number three in the caucus and party royalty as the daughter of the former vice president Dick Cheney.
She had issued a fiery denunciation of Trump when she announced her vote 24 hours earlier, saying he 'lit the flame on insurrection' but did not speak on the floor.
In the Senate, which will have to hold a trial of Trump in the wake of the vote as soon as it receives the article, McConnell's announcement that he is willing to convict raises new questions about how Republicans will vote when the trial happens.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi signs the article of impeachment against President Donald Trump at an engrossment ceremony after the vote Wednesday night
The article of impeachment against President Donald Trump sits on a table before House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at an engrossment ceremony after Wednesday's vote
So far only Sen. Mitt Romney appears certain to back conviction, while on Wednesday Sen. Lindsey Graham accused McConnell of risking more violence by backing impeachment.
No other Republican senator has made their position public.
Impeachment is by a two-thirds majority of the Senate, which in principle means the 50 Democrats have to be joined by 17 Republicans, but in fact it is only a majority of those present, meaning some GOP members could stay away to let a vote go through without actively taking part.
In a statement, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer continued to push McConnell to reconvene the Senate sooner - but said there would be a trial no matter what.
'A Senate trial can begin immediately, with agreement from the current Senate Majority Leader to reconvene the Senate for an emergency session, or it will begin after January 19th,' Schumer said.
'But make no mistake, there will be an impeachment trial in the United States Senate; there will be a vote on convicting the president for high crimes and misdemeanors; and if the president is convicted, there will be a vote on barring him from running again.'
On the floor Wednesday, the Democrats pointed to the Republicans' high-profile defection: the No. 3 House Republican, Cheney.
Cheney, the Republican Conference Chair, laced into Trump in her statement, saying he 'lit the flame' of insurrection - and Democrats repeated her words back to the Republicans.
'There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution,' she said.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT
READ THE FULL ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT