Sen. Jon Ossoff used a sermon at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church to denounce former President Donald Trump as a "spiritually broken president," warning that leaders surrounded by yes-men are brought low by their own arrogance. He accused election deniers of enabling efforts to overturn 2020 results and described the nation as "afflicted and in crisis," citing uninsured patients and alleged federal agent abuses. The White House responded with sharp criticism, and the closely watched Georgia Senate race has recently shifted to "leaning Democratic" in some forecasts.
Ossoff Calls Trump a 'Spiritually Broken' President From the Pulpit, Warns of "Vengeance and Enrichment"
Ossoff knocks Trump as ‘spiritually broken president’
Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) sharply criticized former President Donald Trump and his allies Sunday from the pulpit at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta, calling Trump a "spiritually broken president" and accusing his circle of enabling a government used for "vengeance and enrichment." Ossoff made the remarks during the congregation's "Social Justice Sunday" service as he campaigns for reelection this November.
Ossoff framed his criticism in moral and biblical terms, invoking scripture to warn that arrogance and surrounding oneself with yes-men lead to downfall. He cited Proverbs to warn that those who "dig a pit" ultimately fall into it, and drew a parallel with the biblical King Ahab, whom he said was undone by false prophets who affirmed the king's delusions.
"Pastor, Proverbs says, 'whoever digs a pit — whoever digs a pit will fall into it,'" Ossoff said. "Scripture is full of kings brought low by their own arrogance."
He singled out what he described as today's "false prophets" — election deniers who back efforts to overturn the 2020 results — saying their willingness to repeat what he called an "absurd" lie proves their submission to a destructive agenda. Ossoff also described the United States as "afflicted and in crisis," citing uninsured patients, strained hospitals, and reports of federal agents engaging in alleged profiling and brutality.
Urging parishioners not to yield to intimidation, Ossoff said that "justice is controversial" and encouraged persistent civic engagement in the face of cruelty and chaos.
White House spokesperson Allison Schuster responded on Tuesday, sharply criticizing Ossoff. In a statement, she called him "a total phony" and accused him of promoting positions she described as extreme, including claims about transgender policy, abortion funding, and the Biden administration's treatment of certain groups. Those accusations were presented by Schuster as political criticism of Ossoff's record and views.
The race for Ossoff's Senate seat is one of the most closely watched in the country as Democrats aim to regain a Senate majority next year. Republican challengers in the crowded field include U.S. Reps. Mike Collins and Buddy Carter, plus former college football coach Derek Dooley, who has an endorsement from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R). Late last month, Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics, shifted the race's rating from "toss-up" to "leaning Democratic."
Political commentators have also speculated that, if reelected, Ossoff could be discussed as a potential future presidential contender — a possibility that would pit him against higher-profile Democrats in future cycles.
Updated: 2:55 p.m. EST.
Help us improve.
