President Trump proclaimed he was friend to peaceful protesters this week, at the very moment his Attorney General ordered police to clear hundreds of them from Lafayette Square with tear gas, so Trump could pose with a bible in front of a church.
Sue O'Connell told Boston Public Radio on Friday the broad outcry from church and military leaders alike — including Bishop Mariann Budde and James Mattis, the former defense secretary — may have an impact on Trump's voter base in November.
O'Connell said that many Trump supporters in her family often bristle when she brings up instances where he has gone against their stated values, but this time she was met with silence.
"There is this inkling of, this is a line for many Christians and Catholics that may have gone too far, and for military families," she said. "When you have people finally expressing their opinions who are revered and respected by sons and daughters who have served in the military, it really is a one-two punch for a lot of Trump supporters ... when priests and military leaders are standing up saying no this is not okay."
Sue O'Connell is co-publisher of Bay Windows and South End News, and an NECN political commentator.
