House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday bashed Catholic supporters of President Trump ahead of his appearance at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast.
Speaking at an event hosted by the liberal nun activist Sister Simone Campbell, Pelosi expressed “dismay” that the NCPB invited Trump to deliver the keynote address at its annual event.
“What would Christ do? We always say that,” Pelosi said. “Well, there’s a big difference between what Christ would do and what they’re honoring this morning.”
When introducing Pelosi, Campbell said that her event, though taking place “in the shadow” of the NCPB, was intended to combat the “all-too-flawed, narrow, and politically opportunistic view of our faith” that the president’s Catholic supporters take. Campbell, who has been investigated by the Vatican for her statements on abortion, also praised the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for her work on women’s rights, especially women “on the economic margin.”
The NCPB, which has previously hosted former President George W. Bush, typically brings together conservative Catholics and members of church hierarchy. This year, the breakfast drew much attention after it announced that it will honor Attorney General William Barr, a Catholic, with an award for his “long history of dedicated public service and his commitment to the defense of the vulnerable and religious liberty.”
In the past few years, Trump administration officials, including Vice President Mike Pence and former acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, addressed the breakfast. This year marks Trump’s first appearance at the event.
