References to faith were a constant at last week’s impeachment trial for former President Donald Trump, with Democrats appearing especially comfortable invoking religion when discussing the attack on the US Capitol by insurrectionists on 6th January.
Religious rhetoric was common during Trump’s first impeachment proceedings in 2020 as well, when Republicans and Democrats engaged in a theological war of words that culminated with Trump delivering a scathing speech before the National Prayer Breakfast in which he challenged the public faith expressions of political opponents such as Utah Republican Senator Mitt Romney and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The pattern repeated this go-round, but it was Democrats who appeared most eager to utilise faith-infused arguments, signaling a resurgence of religious rhetoric among liberals.
One of the trial’s earliest religious moments surrounded Trump defence lawyer David Schoen, who was seen repeatedly covering his head when he paused to drink water in the Senate chamber. Some mocked Schoen’s habit, but the move likely had religious origins: Schoen, an Orthodox Jew who often wears a kippa, reportedly declined to wear the traditional Jewish head covering during his remarks because he didn’t “want to offend anybody”.
According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, many Jews not only recite a blessing that mentions God when eating or drinking, but also believe one’s head must be covered to say God’s name.
Read the article by Jack Jenkins in Sight magazine.