“In America, we don’t worship government,” said President Trump, winding up the crowd at the Faith & Freedom Coalition. “We worship God.”
No doubt many Republicans are thanking the Almighty right now for a rare opportunity to avoid controversy.
When Trump was addressing religious conservatives in the luxurious ballroom of the Omni Shoreham Hotel, fired FBI director James Comey was simultaneously addressing the Senate Intelligence Committee across town. The two men seemed worlds apart.
At the conference, Trump talked regulations, international relations and religion. The president did not, however, mention the ongoing investigation into Russian electoral meddling that has paralyzed his presidency. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.
“Ultimately, the best messenger is the president himself,” White House press secretary Sean Spicer said last week, stressing the fact that Trump would just as soon be his own spokesman. “He’s always proven that.”
But wholly out of character for about 30 minutes, Trump was cool, calm, and collected as he offered evangelicals buzzy soundbites. More importantly, he stayed off Twitter and away from television, giving his communications staff the precious hours of silence that will help them defend his presidency.
Asked if Trump tuned in to the Comey hearing, Deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she didn’t know if the president had “seen much of it.” If left in the dark, that means Trump will stay out of the limelight and give the White House time to craft a response.
For burnt out staffers, that’s an answer to prayer.
Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
