By Matt Underwood Trump’s spiritual advisory pastor to serve only 6 months after molesting a 12-year-old for years is a horrifying miscarriage of justice, a sentence that feels utterly insufficient given the gravity of the crime. Six months is a travesty, a mere slap on the wrist for a man who inflicted years of abuse on a child, ruining her life in the process. A plea deal that reduces a 10-year sentence to a mere six months is deeply disturbing, especially when the focus should be on protecting victims and holding perpetrators accountable.
Guarding our pedophiles? It’s a phrase that cuts deep, particularly when considering the context. The association of this individual with Trump and his role as a spiritual advisor paints a troubling picture. The suggestion that MAGA is a pedophile criminal organization, while harsh, highlights a deeply disturbing pattern of behavior and association. The additional detail of the church covering up child abuse further cements this narrative.
The fact that this man, in addition to his own history of child abuse, was simultaneously leading a church that covered up abuse is a disturbing double whammy. This is the kind of behavior that fuels the accusations of hypocrisy and the desire to “project so hard.” The outrage and disgust are understandable, as is the feeling that this situation reflects a broken system that values the perpetrator’s comfort over the victim’s well-being. The comparison to cases of relatively minor offenses resulting in harsh punishments further underscores the disparity and the perception of systemic inequity.
This is a legitimate predator, caught, tried, and convicted. He should be serving a minimum 10-year sentence, as a society that claims to value children is meant to do. It’s a perfect illustration of how some communities and individuals operate. The idea of seeking refuge in religion in the face of modern information dissemination is truly troubling. The persistent indoctrination of youth, especially in religious contexts, is a powerful force that perpetuates these patterns of abuse and cover-up. The potential for religious institutions to shape children’s minds on a massive scale through education is a cause for alarm.
The projection is off the charts. To those who would like the death penalty for this type of crime but only get 6 months, a deep look inside needs to happen. The contrast between the punishment for this horrific act and the punishments for offenses like drug possession is stark. The very idea that someone with this type of background could be a spiritual advisor to anyone, let alone a former president, is mind-boggling. The potential for financial gain, through donations and the manipulation of a large congregation, adds another layer of corruption to the situation. It’s truly difficult to understand how the system can allow this to happen.
The outrage continues, given the context. It reflects a disturbing precedent. The fact that consequences seem to be minimal for these types of crimes, while minor transgressions face harsh penalties, fuels the impression that the system is rigged. The constant efforts to block access to information regarding those who have supported these crimes are a reminder of the darkness that exists.
The outrage continues. There seems to be little consequence for a life of abuse and predatory behavior. It’s a reminder of the power structures at play and the way they can protect the wrongdoers.
It’s astonishing how quickly and easily the focus of the GOP switches from the well-being of children to protecting adults. The actions of the Gateway Church demonstrate the pattern of covering up abuse. The release of the Epstein files could follow the same pattern of denial, deflection, and inaction. The notion of confessing to an abuse is meant to give a clean slate, a system that allows for this is in desperate need of reform.
This is an abomination of justice. This is a lifetime of trauma and pain for the victim. The connections between the abuser and the former president, the apparent lack of consequences, and the seemingly endless stream of such individuals are all cause for concern. There are some things people will do. How many of these individuals are in Trump’s orbit? The evidence is clearly there, and the patterns are obvious. The question is how we let this continue to happen. The pattern of associating with these individuals in order to manipulate the most powerful man in the country is the biggest fear.