Trump is 'destroying America' with his 'stupidity and tyranny': Catholic priest

One Jesuit priest is describing President Donald Trump's second term as "psychologically exhausting," and is calling on American voters and institutions to unite against him.

In a Wednesday essay for Religion News Service (RNS), the Rev. Thomas J. Reese – who has been an ordained priest since 1974 – argued that Trump is "destroying the United States" and "has poisoned our political culture." He lamented that the president's "inflaming of partisanship has made a calm discussion of politics impossible, even among friends and neighbors."

Reese then delved into how Trump has spent his time in office "enriching himself, his family and his cronies while president," and has "corrupted religion" to the point where clergy members who are not enthusiastic enough in their support of the administration "can lose their pulpits." He also asserted that Trump has open "contempt for legal restraints that get in the way of doing whatever he wants."

The longtime Jesuit priest warned readers that the president's attacks on prominent law firms have resulted in attorneys being fearful of accepting certain clients, lest they become a target of Trump's wrath. He further opined that the president had "destroyed the Republican Party" by turning the GOP into his own personal "fiefdom that switches positions depending on which way the Trump tornado is blowing." Several examples he listed of the GOP becoming a vehicle of Trump's fickle whims include its one-eighty on releasing the Epstein files, running on lowering high costs while later calling high costs of living a "hoax" and championing the Second Amendment until a protester is shot dead for carrying a gun he never brandished.

"First it is for free trade; then it is for high tariffs. It goes from being an opponent of Russia to trying to be chummy with Vladimir Putin. The Hyde Amendment banning government funding of abortion used to be a pillar of the Republican platform; now it is negotiable," Reese wrote. "... The Republican Party no longer has any principles; it follows whatever Trump says like a puppy wanting a treat. This has undermined Congress’ ability to be a check on the imperial presidency."

Reese cautioned that while Trump will one day be remembered as "the worst president ever," his administration alone is not to blame, as a majority of Americans elected him. He further warned that Americans will "get the government we deserve" as long as citizens choose to remain "uninvolved unless what he does affects us personally."

"The country must unite and block the stupidity and tyranny of Trump," he wrote. "Universities must unite and speak with one voice in support of academic freedom. Scientists must speak against the use of bad science for political and economic agendas. Law firms must develop a backbone. All races, ethnic and religious groups must not let him divide us into warring factions. Christians must affirm we have only one king: Jesus."