Pastors demand accountability for Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty
July 31, 2022

Pastors call for 'Trump's closest political allies,' Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, to repent of their role in the violence on January 6th and 'The Big Lie'

NASHVILLE -- During the latest January 6th hearing, Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger stated that after the attack on the Capitol, President Trump's lawyer Rudi Guiliani, called “Trump's closest political allies” to demand their support in voting to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Trump’s closest political allies included both of Tennessee's Senators, Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, even though both Senators eventually voted to certify the election, they have yet to admit that the 2020 election was legitimate and have continued to discount the work of the committee, and to this day have perpetuated “The Big Lie.” In response to last night's reference to both of Tennessee's Senators, local pastors call for accountability for elected leaders who refuse to tell the truth, especially Senators Bill Hagerty and Marsha Blackburn.

"MAGA Republicans, including Tennessee's two Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, are active participants in the conspiracy of the 2020 presidential election. Their attempts to thwart and discount the work of the January 6th committee and their continued endorsement of "The Big Lie" shows their aversion to the truth, their aversion even to plain facts and their disregard for the foundations of our democracy,” said Rev. Dr. Donna Whitney, Pastoral Assistant at Metropolitan Interdenominational Church of Nashville. "They have displayed their fidelity to Donald Trump instead of fidelity to the voters and instead of any semblance of fidelity to democracy. It's past time for accountability for the Trump Republicans who refuse to speak the truth about the events of January 6th and the 2020 election. My question for Senators Blackburn and Hagerty is this: 'What will it take for you to tell the truth to Tennesseans about the 2020 election and the role that you and Donald Trump played and continue to play in the conspiracy to overturn a legitimate election?'"

"Just how rare is moral courage in Tennessee’s Senate delegation?" asked Rev. Gordon Myers, Retired Pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. "Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, who have taken an oath to be faithful to our country, must be held accountable for their dishonesty about the 2020 election that led to the violent events of January 6th. Last night we witnessed Republican witnesses who chose courage and spoke the truth with clarity, dignity and a moral commitment to distinguishing between right and wrong as they discharged the duties of their office. So my question for Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty is this: 'Do you still consider yourselves among 'Trump's closest political allies' worthy of a phone call from Rudy Guliani in a future assault on our democracy? Or will you instead display the moral courage needed to choose democracy and the will of the voters over allegiance to Donald Trump?'"

Background:
- Trump did almost nothing for 187 minutes as Capitol riot unfolded, Jan. 6 panel reveals
- Jan 6 Hearings Live Updates from the Washington Post


The Southern Christian Coalition is a nonpartisan grassroots, ecumenical organization. Across the South, politicians use ideology in the guise of Christian theology to push policies that harm our communities and isolate us from our neighbors. We are a community of Christians, speaking up on the values of our faith.