Evangelist Pat Robertson began the June 2 episode of The 700 Club by publicly criticizing President Donald Trump’s threats to call in military troops against protesters in American cities. Robertson, a conservative who is generally supportive of Trump, said it is a time when we should show love toward grieving communities, not force.
“Is it a time for love, or is it a time for war?” Robertson said. “You know, there’s a purpose to everything under heaven, we read in the Bible, and there’s a time. And it seems like now is the time to say, ‘I understand your pain. I want to comfort you.’ I think it’s time we love each other.
“But the president took a different course. He said, ‘I am the president of law and order,’ and he issued a heads-up. He said I’m ready to send in military troops if the nation’s governors don’t act to quell the violence that has rocked American cities.’ Matter of fact, he spoke of them as being jerks. You just don’t do that, Mr. President. It isn’t cool.”
Robertson also questioned whether Trump actually had the authority to do what he said he would do.
“The question is, does the president have the authority to call in the troops?” Robertson asked. “… You’ve got to go all the way back to pre-Civil War days to find an ordinance to give him that authority.”
Full video of Robertson’s remarks is available on the CBN website. {eoa}