Trump Responds to Criticism of Photo Op: ‘Many Religious Leaders Loved It’

President Donald Trump is responding to the criticism he has faced over his appearance at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.

During Trump’s interview on Fox News Radio on Wednesday, host Brian Kilmeade shared responses from multiple religious leaders who expressed disapproval of the president’s visit to the church.

Trump responded by suggesting that many religious leaders “loved” the gesture while describing those who condemned him as members of the “opposition party.”

“Most religious leaders loved it,” Trump said. “I heard Franklin Graham this morning, thought it was great. I heard many other people think it was great, and it’s only the other side that didn’t like it, the opposing — the opposition party, as the expression goes.”

Trump went on to note that the church was set on fire Sunday evening amid protests in Washington, D.C.

“They burned down the church the day before,” he said. “I heard how nice and wonderful the protesters were over there. Really? Then why did they burned down the church the day before?”

Hear Trump’s full interview below:

📺 Embedded media — coming soon

As Trump said, Graham and other religious leaders have praised him for the gesture, publicly thanking him for visiting the church.

On Tuesday, Graham took to Facebook with a statement about the president’s visit to the church.

📺 Embedded media — coming soon

Franklin’s post and Trump’s comments follow a barrage of remarks criticizing the president for his comments on the protests and his use of the church’s sacred grounds for a “photo op.”