President Donald Trump visited the 200-year-old church near the White House that was set on fire as demonstrators clashed with police over the weekend. After his address to the nation on the protests and riots in multiple cities, President Donald Trump walked from the White House across Lafayette Park to the historic St. John’s … Trump’s moment at St. John's Church came at a huge cost—raising echos of marshal law to quash a peaceful protest. At over 200 years old, St. John’s Church is a national historic landmark with a membership of over 1,000 people, and has earned the nickname “church of the presidents.” In the meanwhile, we are left not with words, but with an image. (Trump selected St. John’s, which has hosted presidents since James Madison for worship services, because protesters had set a fire in its nursery the night before.) Diana Butler Bass (@DianaButlerBass) is the author of 10 books on American religion and cultural trends, including her most recent, "Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks (2018)." The first photograph helped make the second possible, of course. The president said he was deploying “thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel and law enforcement officers to stop the rioting, looting, vandalism, assaults and the wanton destruction of property” in the District. Robert Fisher, rector of St. John's Church in … As an Episcopalian, I was mortified by the use of one of my denomination's churches as a backdrop for President Trump's call for a military crackdown. The Hill 1625 K Street, NW Suite 900 Washington DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 tel | 202-628-8503 fax. Mr. Trump began his walk to the church at 7:01 p.m. for a photo session that lasted about 17 minutes. President Trump walked to St. John's Episcopal Church following his address to the nation, which was delivered in front of a massive crowd of … Perhaps not with such certainty as Trump, but with a kind of optimism that God was on his side, the Republican side, and God would, indeed, win America back again. President Trump on June 1 visited the historic St. John's Episcopal Church, which was damaged by protests in Washington, D.C. Bishop Mariann … Sometimes, it reveals a future we don't want to see. As a Christian, I was shocked when he brandished a book of love to sanction violence against American citizens. During Monday's "law and order" speech, as Trump boasted about increased military presence, police forces used tear gas, flash grenades and rubber bullets against peaceful protesters (including clergy) who had regathered at St. John's. She is currently writing a book about images of Jesus. Mr. Trump held a … President TrumpDonald TrumpGiuliani used provisional ballot to vote in 2020 election, same method he disparaged in fighting to overturn results Trump gets lowest job approval rating in final days as president Fox News' DC managing editor Bill Sammon to retire MORE walked to visit the historic St. John’s Church near the White House after protesters were forcefully removed from Lafayette Park by law enforcement officers who fired tear gas into the crowd ahead of a citywide curfew. In Washington, protesters gathered outside the White House, near the church. When he arrived, he lifted the Bible up -- almost if proclaiming his cause sacred. President Trump walks across Lafayette Park to St. John's Church. Sign up for CNN Opinion's new newsletter. Trump posed for photos in front of the church, which was set fire Sunday evening as violent protests raged in Washington, D.C., around the White House. © Reuters / Tom Brenner He was joined by daughter Ivanka and several other administration officials. Not that it mattered very much. President Trump on June 1 visited the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church, which was damaged by protests in Washington, D.C. Falwell, flanked by a clean-cut choir in front of a row of American flags, had just led an "I Love America" rally in anticipation of the 1980 election. Trump said he would deploy military forces to D.C. in order to enforce the city’s 7 p.m. curfew, which went into effect shortly before the president visited the church Monday. The protesters outside the White House Monday, who were cleared by police prior to President Trump’s brief visit to St. John’s Episcopal Church, were … President Trump walked to St. John's Episcopal Church following his address to the nation, which was delivered in front of a massive crowd of protesters. As a person of faith, I was offended as he made God as a prop, seeking to further divide the nation into tribes of righteous followers versus heathen protesters. The tear gas was used to clear protesters at least 15 minutes before the curfew went into effect. Trump visits St. John's church damaged in D.C. protests June 1, 2020 | 4:37 PM EDT President Trump on June 1 visited the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church, which was … President Donald Trump walks back to the White House from St John's Episcopal Church. In the photograph, Falwell is smiling. St. John’s Church, often referred to as "the Church of the Presidents," has a historic connection with the presidency. Diana Butler Bass found President Donald Trump's staged photo outside St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington, DC was offensive as a Christian, a person of … The picture went "viral" as much as was possible in 1980, published in Time magazine and reprinted by every major news outlet. Robert Fisher, rector of St. John's Church in … Jerry Falwell as he led a rally against what he called liberal lawmakers on the steps of the State House in Trenton, New Jersey, on Nov. 10, 1980. WASHINGTON — The chants of “Black Lives Matter” from Lafayette Square grew louder as we approached the scheduled time for President Donald Trump to speak. St. John’s Episcopal Church was built in 1815 and its first service was Oct. 27, 1816. Historic D.C. monuments were vandalized, and windows of business establishments around the White House were shattered. Two images, 40 years apart: one, a minister on the steps of a statehouse waving the flag; the other, a president on the steps of a church holding up a Bible. That's my thoughts." President Trump walks to St. John's Church. After U.S. Park Police and National Guard troops pushed demonstrators out of Lafayette Park, President Trump walked from the White House to St. John's Church … He then posed with senior officials, including the secretary of defense, who, understanding how problematic this was, has, In many ways, there is nothing particularly new about such politicized images involving religion. Claim: U.S. President Donald Trump was photographed holding the Bible upside down outside St John's Episcopal church on June 1, 2020. If you would like to participate, visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks. The morning of Jan. 20, 2017, Trump and first lady Melania Trump attended the traditional Inauguration Day church service at St. John’s, where they were met by a … President Donald Trump holds a Bible as he visits outside St. John's Church on June 1. You can learn a lot from The New York Times, although not exactly what its editors might want you to take away. One might even say, like a dominant boss. Not only that, the visit was portrayed as a “photo-op” — no symbolism involved, mind you, just something for the cameras. Over the weekend, protests had turned violent at night, including the church -- located across the street from the White House, with a long history of significance to presidents and others with political power --. On Monday, after President Donald Trump visited St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square after it was damaged by rioters, reports emerged that the U.S. Park Police used tear gas to clear peaceful protesters from the location so that Trump could visit. Starting with James Madison, every U.S. president has attended a … Trump walked back through the White House gates accompanies by U.S. Secret Service personnel shortly before 7:30 p.m. National Guard troops assembled in the nation’s capital shortly before Trump delivered his remarks. Bishop Denounces President Trump's 'Incendiary' Photo-Op at St. John's Church amid Protests this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. While he's tried to paint himself as a champion for religious freedom and has eagerly courted the religious right, Trump … The views expressed here are hers. Episcopal bishops and clergy, Christian ministers from many denominations, religious leaders from other faiths, and many people of goodwill have, The picture was taken after President Trump announced a new regime of "law and order" to crush the protests following the death in police custody of George Floyd, a black man from Minneapolis. Trump has accused anarchists, looters, antifa and other “radical left-wing groups” of causing the destruction. On Monday, after President Donald Trump visited St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square after it was damaged by rioters, reports emerged that the U.S. Park Police used tear gas to clear peaceful protesters from the location so that Trump could visit. As Trump began to speak … Yes, I was outraged by President Trump’s use of the Bible and the backdrop of St. John’s Church for his political purposes. St. John’s Episcopal Church was built in 1815 and its first service was Oct. 27, 1816. Trump held up a Bible in front of the church. Some of the protests have been peaceful, but they have given way to unruly demonstrations in D.C., Minneapolis and other cities, leading to clashes with law enforcement and destruction of property. B This article has been rated as B-Class on the project's quality scale. On his way over, after protesters had been driven from the park, he was trailed by a … Trump held up a Bible and posed for a photo op in front of Ashburton House (the church's parish house), which had been damaged by a fireduring protests t… How Trump’s visit to St. John's unfolded (all times approximate): Sunday, May 31, 10 p.m. Demonstrators set fire to the basement nursery of St. John’s Episcopal Church … Trump threatened to dispatch troops to states and cities if local leaders do not sufficiently crack down on the demonstrations. It was the photograph of the moment. President Donald Trump holds a Bible outside St. John's Church across Lafayette Park from the White House in Washington. But for all its historical singularity, the St. John's photograph recalls another political image -- a picture taken 40 years ago. We typically look askance at those who claim a divine right to rule. President Trump walks to St. John's Church in Lafayette Square in Washington, DC following remarks at the White House. Read more opinion on CNN. President Donald Trump stands outside St. John's Church across Lafayette Park from the White House Monday, June 1, 2020, in Washington. Trump held up a Bible in front of the church. As one can… Trump during the hastily announced address Monday evening said he would mobilize “all available resources, civilian and military” in order to crack down on protests that have popped up nationwide over the death of Floyd, an unarmed black man who was killed in police custody one week ago after a white police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) More than two weeks after his controversial photo-op outside a Washington, DC, church, President Donald Trump offered a new explanation last week for why he didn't enter St. John's Episcopal Church. Although God has been wrongly used for many corrupt political agendas and even violence, we Americans do, at the very least, expect our presidents to be appropriately humble when summoning the sacred. Mariann Edgar Budde “just can’t believe” what her eyes “had seen” — and not in a good way — with President Donald Trump’s appearance at the D.C. church.. Trump visited the church after vowing in a Rose Garden address to mobilize the military to help quell protests across the country that broke out following the death of George Floyd. President Donald Trump walks past police in Lafayette Park after he visited outside St. John’s Church across from the White House Monday, June 1, 2020, in Washington. Rev. A picture is worth more than a thousand words. He'd preached against abortion, homosexuality and feminism, assuring the crowd that God wanted them to vote for Ronald Reagan. The Rev. Trump crossed H Street and walked toward St. John’s Episcopal Church, the landmark pale yellow building where every president, including Trump, has prayed. That's my thoughts." As one can imagine, some in the media were not happy. blasts Mexico's decision to close probe of former defense minister, Acting attorney general condemns Capitol riots, warns 'no tolerance' for violence at Biden inauguration, Author: Meadows is history's worst White House chief of staff, Agency official says Capitol riot hit close to home for former Transportation secretary Chao, Journalist Aaron Glantz says Treasury's $25B rental assistance program falls short, Meet the company that is revolutionizing e-commerce by conquering the mountain of packages outside your front door, Eric Weinstein: It's time to end the business model of division, How one restaurateur is feeding the hungry and helping restaurants stay open during the pandemic. (CNN)The photograph of President Donald Trump at the steps of St. John's Episcopal Church, holding a Bible high, has become an icon of this American moment. ASSOCIATED PRESS President Donald Trump holds a Bible outside St. John's Church across Lafayette Park from the White House on June 1, 2020. It was also a photo op, an image of Jerry Falwell Sr., the Baptist. Part of the church … President Donald Trump holds a Bible as he visits outside St. John's Church across Lafayette Park from the White House Monday, June 1, 2020, in Washington. Now those who intuited the power of that older image look like prophets. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / Getty Images The Lafayette Square area was initially inspected for security early Monday evening, but as the photo shoot came, it became apparent that an earlier plan to expand the security perimeter around the White House to walk to the church had not taken place, The Times reported. Trump bible memes have flooded the internet after the President's photo-op at St John's church proved too tempting for social media users. Trump told the media he was visiting the spot to "pay respect" to a Washington DC landmark. He was joined by daughter Ivanka and several other administration officials. American history is rife with politicians claiming authority from the Bible for their own agendas. "He didn't come to church … And history has been less than kind to presidents given to theological hubris. On the morning following the photo at St. John's, Trump reenacted the stunt at a Roman Catholic shrine. It … The contents of this site are ©2021 Capitol Hill Publishing Corp., a subsidiary of News Communications, Inc. 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