Fresh off the Easter weekend, Rep. Steve King (R-IA) was feeling a little spiritually vindicated on Tuesday during a scarcely attended town hall in Cherokee, Iowa.
After referring to his comments to the New York Times — in which he questioned when white supremacy became offensive — as “misquoted” and the “equivalent of a political lynch mob,” King suggested that he and Jesus Christ have a little something in common.
A constituent who identified herself as a pastor told King that she felt Christians were being “persecuted” in the U.S. and expressed concern about it.
“For all that I’ve been through — and it seems even strange for me to say it — but I am at a certain peace, and it is because of a lot of prayers for me,” King said in response. “And, when I had to step down to the floor of the House of Representatives and look up at those 400-and-some accusers, you know we just passed through Easter and Christ’s passion, and I have better insight into what he went through for us, um, partly because of that experience.”
King was stripped of all of his committee posts and widely condemned by Democrats and member of his own party for the comments made earlier this year, the first time he’s faced tangible repercussions for his racist remarks, which he has a storied history of making.
Watch the town hall below, King’s “Christ’s passion” comments begin during minute 57.
