A Christian pastor imprisoned for months reunited with his family after the Chinese Communist Party released him following pressure from President Donald Trump. 
Pastor Mingri “Ezra” Jin, the leader of one of the largest underground church networks in China, landed in the United States on the Fourth of July and was greeted by his family. Trump pushed Chinese President Xi Jinping to release Jin during his trip to China in May. 
&#8220;We truly witnessed a miracle and we are feeling so overwhelmed with joy. We thank God for this tremendous miracle,” Jin’s family said in a statement. “We also thank President Trump and his administration for their tremendous leadership.”
Jin and a number of other church leaders connected to Zion Church, an independent Protestant church, were rounded up and thrown into a detention center in southern China in October 2025. In January 2026, more Christians associated with Early Rain Covenant Church, an evangelical Presbyterian church, were targeted by the CCP. 
Jin was accused of disseminating illegal information online. 
Grace Jin Drexel, who has fought for months to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/daughter-of-imprisoned-chinese-pastor-releases-tearful-christmas-message-to-father?utm_source=chatgpt.com">raise awareness</a> about her father’s case, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/daughter-of-detained-pastor-warns-of-a-coming-wave-of-christian-persecution-in-communist-china">previously told</a> The Daily Wire her father became a Christian after the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre.
“When the country betrayed them in such a brutal way, it really was shocking, and they lost a sense of direction for my dad,” Grace said. “He then found the sense of purpose and direction in Christianity, and he turned to Christ, and he realized that was the firm foundation that he needed in order to build his life upon.”
In 2007, Jin started Zion after years of theological training in the United States. By 2018, the government had cracked down on Zion by closing its physical location and freezing the church’s assets. 
During his trip to China, Trump pressed Xi on the imprisonment of Jin and Hong Kong businessman Jimmy Lai. 
“I think he’s giving very serious consideration to the pastor,” Trump said after the trip. “He said he’s giving very serious consideration to that.” 
Lawmakers praised Trump for advocating for Jin’s release. 
“I am profoundly grateful that Pastor Ezra Jin has been released and reunited with his family. I especially thank President Trump for personally raising Pastor Jin’s case with CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping and for ensuring that U.S. diplomats remained committed in pressing for his freedom,” said Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the co-chair of Congressional-Executive Commission on China.

CHINA-RELIGION-RIGHTS

China Releases Influential Christian Prisoner In ‘Miracle’ Move After Trump Pressured Xi

China

Christian Persecution

Christianity

Donald Trump

Mel Gibson’s massive hit “The Passion of the Christ” will return to theaters this September ahead of the release of “The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One,” which debuts in 2027.
The 2004 biblical drama has been remastered in 4K with Dolby Atmos sound, Variety <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/mel-gibson-passion-of-the-christ-theaterical-release-resurrection-of-the-christ-sneak-peek-1236800050/">reported</a>. Theatergoers will also get a sneak peek of the sequel during their screening. 
“&#8217;The Passion of the Christ&#8217; remains one of the most extraordinary theatrical experiences ever created. For millions of people, it was far more than a film — it became a powerful shared cultural and faith experience,” Kevin Grayson, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group president of worldwide distribution, <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/mel-gibson-passion-of-the-christ-theaterical-release-resurrection-of-the-christ-sneak-peek-1236800050/">told</a> the outlet in a statement. “Bringing it back to theaters in a stunning new restoration allows longtime audiences to experience it in an entirely new way while inviting a new generation to discover it in theaters for the very first time.”
“Few modern-day films have made as much of an impact on the cultural landscape as ‘The Passion of the Christ,&#8217;” said Ray Nutt, Fathom Entertainment’s chief executive officer. “Twenty years ago, faith-based and more secular-leaning audiences alike embraced Mel Gibson’s film cinematic masterpiece and made it a true success, ushering in an era of opportunity for future religious-themed projects.”
The sequel will be released on Ascension Day during two consecutive years, with “Part One” coming out on May 6, 2027 and “Part Two” following on May 25, 2028. 
Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen will be stepping into the role of Jesus, replacing original “Passion” star Jim Caviezel. Actress Mariela Garriga will portray Mary Magdalene, taking over the role previously played by Monica Bellucci.
Gibson described the film as something far bigger than a normal Hollywood production in an official statement earlier this year. 
“This film represents a major part of my life’s work,” Gibson <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/first-look-at-mel-gibsons-long-awaited-biblical-jesus-sequel-revealed">said</a>. “It’s far more than a film to me.”
Back in 2004, much of Hollywood and the Left openly sneered at “The Passion of the Christ” before its release. But Gibson proved them all wrong when the film earned more than $600 million globally and became one of the most successful independent films ever made.

Passion of the Christ

‘The Passion Of The Christ’ Is Coming Back To The Big Screen

Entertainment

Hollywood

Mel Gibson

Movies

A popular online tarot card reader with nearly one million followers on TikTok has turned to God, leaving behind her top spot in the so-called WitchTok space, deleting all of her past videos and posts, and closing her lucrative Etsy shop.
<div class="css-hq86b9-7937d88b--DivUserTextWrapper ewydtb10">
Alexandra Ashcroft, who was known online as &#8220;Alex Reads Tarot,&#8221; posted a video last week informing her followers that she is now a Christian. In the video, which has already accumulated millions of views, Ashcroft proclaimed that Jesus has saved her life, and she can no longer read tarot cards or host similar content.
“Over the past nearly a year, my faith has become the most important thing in my life,” Ashcroft said in the video. “Through that journey, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting, questioning, praying, and trying to understand my faith more and where God was starting to lead me. Truthfully, if you’d have told me a couple of years ago that I’d be sitting here making this video, I probably wouldn’t have believed you.&#8221;
“I don’t know exactly what comes next for me, but what I do know is that Jesus Christ has saved my life, and I can no longer ignore that reality,&#8221; she added.
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
This is a phenomenal testimony and worth the 10 minutes.
&#8216;Alex Reads Tarot&#8217; was a popular and prominent social media creator in the &#8216;WitchTok space, where she gained a large following by posting daily tarot readings, zodiac updates, and paid spiritual readings.
Then, without… <a href="https://t.co/3iuHzjpOIQ">pic.twitter.com/3iuHzjpOIQ</a>
— Protestia (@Protestia) <a href="https://x.com/Protestia/status/2070680924199489701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2026</a></blockquote>
Ashcroft&#8217;s tarot card TikTok account, which had more than 933,000 followers, has been totally scrubbed of past content. The only two posts currently hosted on the account are a video of Ashcroft explaining why she left the lifestyle and another video directing anyone who wants to follow her to her new account. Ashcroft, notably, is starting over with followers on her new account, where her handle is &#8220;@AlexCourageInChrist.&#8221;
<div id="attachment_1125571" style="width: 773px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1125571" class="wp-image-1125571 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-30-at-10.03.06-AM-763x576.png" alt="" width="763" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-30-at-10.03.06-AM-763x576.png 763w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-30-at-10.03.06-AM-300x227.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-30-at-10.03.06-AM-768x580.png 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-30-at-10.03.06-AM.png 1454w" sizes=" (max-width: 763px) 100vw, 763px" />TikTok</div>
Ashcroft said her new account will likely discuss scripture or other Christian themes, but stressed that she is not yet sure where the Lord is leading her.
She also quietly closed her Etsy shop, where she had more than 27,000 sales.
</div>
<div id="attachment_1125487" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1125487" class="wp-image-1125487 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-30-at-9.06.58-AM-1024x410.png" alt="" width="1024" height="410" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-30-at-9.06.58-AM-1024x410.png 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-30-at-9.06.58-AM-300x120.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-30-at-9.06.58-AM-768x308.png 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-30-at-9.06.58-AM-1536x616.png 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-30-at-9.06.58-AM.png 1552w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Screenshot: Etsy</div>
Online users have expressed how moved they were by Ashcroft&#8217;s conversion, and fellow Christians have offered many prayers and words of support. However, the young woman has also reportedly lost tens of thousands of followers and received backlash for leaving the space. In a more recent video, Ashcroft said that she does not feel any need to &#8220;convince&#8221; anyone of anything, and that she knows the truth and so does God, and that&#8217;s all that matters.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/the-major-move-putting-god-back-in-americas-classrooms">The Major Move Putting God Back In America’s Classrooms</a>

Screenshot

Powerful Video: Top ‘WitchTok’ Creator Leaves It All Behind For Jesus

TikTok

Witchcraft

The Texas State Board of Education voted on new curriculum that requires public schools to teach the historical context of the Bible, impacting more than 5 million public school students. 
Building on America&#8217;s foundation in Judeo-Christian values, Texas wants to include Bible passages along with other classic literature in the K-12 education curriculum. This comes just after Texas won the fight to mandate posting the Ten Commandments in every classroom.
Multiple titles will be mandated at each grade level, including a “picture-book adaptation of the David and Goliath story for elementary students,” and the story of Adam and Eve for older students. Other biblical stories include the Book of Jonah, the Book of Psalms, and excerpts from the Book of Genesis and Lamentations, according to the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/26/texas-bible-required-reading-public-school">Guardian</a>. There will also be an increased emphasis on classic literature and culturally significant readings such as Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address.”
The board of education gave its final <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/26/texas-bible-required-reading-public-school">approval</a> to the curriculum during Friday’s vote. 
This new curriculum is based on “a 2023 Texas law requiring state education officials to designate at least one literary work for every grade level, with the state board expanding on that mandate by recommending multiple texts for each grade,” <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/26/texas-bible-required-reading-public-school">The Guardian</a> reported.
The decision has led to both praise and criticism.
Parents in favor of the new curriculum believe that it will help students better understand the Judeo-Christian values that founded the nation and Western history. 
Those opposed claim it will be a violation of the separation of church and state. Saying the curriculum lacks diversity and favors Christianity over other faiths, they complain it will “infringe on parents’ ability to lead their children’s religious education &#8230; particularly in non-Christian households.”
However, many public schools already teach stories tied to the Hindu and Islamic faiths despite the fact that there is a “church and state separation.” 
Policymakers have assured parents that the curriculum is not teaching a religion, but providing historical context within the state education code already requiring K-12 to teach “religious literature, including the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and New Testament, and its impact on history and literature.” 
Susan Perez, founder of a Christian parent advocacy group, Citizens for Education Reform, argued in Monday’s school board meeting that not every religious belief needs to be incorporated into public school education because “our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian values.”

Supreme Court Rules Issues Mixed Rulings On 10 Commandments Displays

The Major Move Putting God Back In America’s Classrooms

Hinduism

Islam

Texas

In a stunning rebuke of one of America&#8217;s biggest airlines, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals handed down a <a href="https://firstliberty.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Brown-Opinion.pdf">blistering decision</a> this week, ruling that flight attendants Lacey Smith and Marli Brown deserve their day in a jury trial after Alaska Airlines booted them from their jobs for questioning the Equality Act.
The attendants were fired after Brown posted a comment on the company&#8217;s internal messaging board, saying the Equality Act would &#8220;endanger the Christian church&#8221; and threaten religious freedom. Smith asked the question — &#8220;As a company, do you think it&#8217;s possible to regulate morality?&#8221; The Equality Act, a bill proposed in 2019, sought to extend civil rights protections to people based on their so-called gender identity.
Alaska Airlines called their posts &#8220;hateful,&#8221; &#8220;offensive,&#8221; and &#8220;discriminatory.&#8221; One company VP testified that Brown&#8217;s use of the phrase &#8220;opposite sex&#8221; was discriminatory because — in his view — it implied only two sexes exist. A lawyer in Alaska Airlines&#8217; legal department declared in an internal email that &#8220;employees actually do not have the right to believe that LGBTQ rights are &#8216;immoral.'&#8221; A colleague shot back: &#8220;I 100% agree.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Huge victory at the U.S. Court of Appeals for our clients Lacey Smith and Marli Brown! The legal battle is ongoing, but this is an incredible step towards a final victory that will restore Lacey and Marli’s religious freedom. <a href="https://t.co/SSJ3PkqxUV">pic.twitter.com/SSJ3PkqxUV</a>
&mdash; First Liberty Institute (@firstliberty_) <a href="https://x.com/firstliberty_/status/2069871461242708403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Meanwhile, the flight attendants&#8217; own union — which typically defends employees — was privately cheering their destruction. The union&#8217;s top executive called Smith a &#8220;bigot&#8221; in text and told Alaska Airlines management to send her &#8220;bigoted a** packing.&#8221; Another union rep suggested putting both women in &#8220;a burlap bag and drop them in a well.&#8221; That same rep then showed up to represent Brown at her disciplinary hearing.
The appeals court wasn&#8217;t buying any of it. The judges found that a reasonable jury could absolutely conclude Alaska Airlines used its anti-harassment policies as cover to punish two women for their faith — especially given that the airline itself had invited employees to &#8220;openly share ideas&#8221; and &#8220;understand one another&#8221; on the very forum where Brown and Smith posted their remarks.
The court noted with particular withering clarity that Alaska &#8220;created a forum for employee discussion on controversial issues, then fired Brown after she made religious objections of the kind Alaska anticipated.&#8221; The Notice of Discharge against Smith — who had asked a single philosophical question — characterized her words as speech that &#8220;targets a group of individuals based on their legally protected characteristics.&#8221; A jury, the court said, could easily find that description &#8220;overwrought or inaccurate.&#8221;
Both women had exemplary records. Brown had never been disciplined once in eight years.
The case now heads back to trial. For Lacey Smith and Marli Brown, the fight for their careers — and their faith — is far from over.
But for the first time in years, they have a fighting chance.

Alaska Airlines At Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Fired Flight Attendants Win Big After Major Airline Canned Them For Their Faith

Alaska Airlines

Court

A Christian judge in Texas was recently awarded $640,000 after she was targeted by a state agency for refusing to oversee same-sex ceremonies.
Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley filed suit in December 2019 after the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct issued her a public warning for declining to officiate same-sex weddings.
Hensley said she was unable to participate in such ceremonies, citing her Christian faith. The judge notably <a href="https://firstliberty.org/cases/judge-dianne-hensley/">referred</a> same-sex couples to other officiants and was able to ensure these couples could get married without delay or additional cost. Despite never receiving a complaint from the public, she was warned by the commission.
In a June 19 decision, Travis County Judge Maya Guerra Gamble ruled in favor of Hensley, who claimed the state agency violated her rights under the state&#8217;s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The law protects Texas citizens and organizations from government action that infringes on their sincere religious exercise.
Hensley was awarded the maximum amount in compensatory damages under the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which is $10,000. The judgment also permanently enjoined the commission from “investigating, sanctioning, or disciplining Judge Hensley over her refusal to officiate at same-sex weddings on account of her religious beliefs&#8221; and ordered the commission to pay $630,000 for Hensley’s attorney’s fees.
“Judge Hensley always adhered to the law and the legal guidance provided by the Attorney General of Texas,” said Hiram Sasser, executive general counsel for First Liberty Institute. “We are grateful that this case has concluded and that Judge Hensley was vindicated.”
The judge was represented by legal organization <a href="https://firstliberty.org/cases/judge-dianne-hensley/#simple1">First Liberty Institute</a>. In a video posted by the group, Hensley further explained what led her to file suit. &#8220;Because of my Christian faith, I feel — I know I&#8217;m not supposed to do weddings for same-sex people,&#8221; she said. &#8220;But at the same time, I don&#8217;t want to be disrespectful or hurt anybody&#8217;s feelings.&#8221;
Hensley said that after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Obergefell decision in 2015, nearly every judge in the county stopped performing weddings altogether so they wouldn&#8217;t be targeted by the commission when they refused to officiate same-sex weddings. Hensley, too, stopped performing weddings for this reason. But after 14 months, Hensley said she felt that was inconveniencing everyone in the county and the situation generally was unfair. &#8220;It was better to be able to accommodate who we could,&#8221; she said.
First Liberty noted that the commission in Texas is still facing a statewide class-action lawsuit from justices who stopped performing weddings to avoid disciplinary action related to same-sex ceremonies. The suit is seeking damages in the tens of millions of dollars.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/labor-department-launches-center-for-faith-to-combat-religious-discrimination?author=Leif+Le+Mahieu&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Labor+Department+Launches+‘Center+For+Faith’+Resources+To+Combat+Religious+Discrimination">Labor Department Launches ‘Center For Faith’ Resources To Combat Religious Discrimination</a>

Judge Gets Hefty Payout After Refusing To Oversee Same-Sex Ceremonies

Judge Gets Hefty Payout After Reusing To Oversee Same-Sex Ceremonies

Judge

Same-Sex Marriage

San Francisco Giants leaders are refusing to speak ill of the Christian players who counter-signaled the team&#8217;s LGBT &#8220;Pride Night.&#8221;
Reporters on Tuesday night pressed San Fran manager Tony Vitello about the recent &#8220;Pride Night&#8221; fiasco, where players were pressured to wear gay pride rainbow-logo hats. When a reporter suggested Vitello was somehow disrespected by Christian ball players who added Bible verses to their hats, he refuted the journalist.
The reporter argued that because the Christian players didn&#8217;t tell Vitello they were going to write on their hats, it was an act of &#8220;disrespect to the manager.&#8221;
&#8220;I don&#8217;t see that as a disrespect to me to be honest with you,&#8221; Vitello responded, adding that what would be disrespectful in his view would be players not giving it their all on the field for their teammates. &#8220;I have not been disrespected in this role, at all.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
From players writing on their Pride Night hats without him knowing to the Rafael Devers incident, Tony Vitello feels no disrespect whatsoever.
&#8220;I don&#8217;t see that as a disrespect to me to be honest with you&#8230; I have not been disrespected in this role at all.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/Vemfv4ty11">pic.twitter.com/Vemfv4ty11</a>
— KNBR (@KNBR) <a href="https://x.com/KNBR/status/2069565974488179047?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2026</a></blockquote>
Buster Posey, the Giants&#8217; president of baseball operations, also shared a vague statement about the Christian players, and then refused to answer questions about anything other than &#8220;baseball.&#8221;
“I’d like to recognize that the organization has shared its response to &#8216;Pride Night,&#8217; and I understand that there’s strong feelings on this topic,” Posey said, before taking questions from the media. “There’s differing perspectives, and out of respect to everybody involved, it’s not something that I’m going to revisit.”
Reporters continued to press Posey about the Christian players, stressing that they believe the LGBT community is vital to the San Fran area. Posey, time after time, told the press that he&#8217;d only take &#8220;baseball questions.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Buster Posey opened his media availability with a prepared statement on the Pride Night controversy, then proceeded to decline to answer further questions on the topic, stating he will only answer &#8220;baseball related questions.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/pxsC0p4hiQ">pic.twitter.com/pxsC0p4hiQ</a>
— KNBR (@KNBR) <a href="https://x.com/KNBR/status/2069535169497968640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2026</a></blockquote>
The response online was generally positive from apolitical and conservative X users, who criticized the media. However, as California-based civil liberties attorney Laura Powell highlighted, the controversy started because the Giants chose to host a &#8220;Pride Night.&#8221;
&#8220;Tense moments as the press pesters Buster Posey with questions about the Pride cap controversy, but he says he will only respond to baseball-related questions,&#8221; she wrote. &#8220;I was on Posey’s side, as I’m sick of the local media milking this story with biased takes, but this reporter made a good point: &#8216;But you guys have made this baseball related because you had Pride Night.'&#8221;
&#8220;Stick to baseball, please!&#8221; Powell added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Tense moments as the press pesters Buster Posey with questions about the Pride cap controversy, but he says he will only respond to baseball-related questions.
I was on Posey’s side, as I’m sick of the local media milking this story with biased takes, but this reporter made a…
— Laura Powell (@LauraPowellEsq) <a href="https://x.com/LauraPowellEsq/status/2069569429269356898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2026</a></blockquote>
Powell also noted the LGBT flags at the stadium, commenting on how &#8220;captured&#8221; the organization has become.
&#8220;The top of the pole is a position of honor, indicating a greater rank,&#8221; she wrote. &#8220;Why did the SF Giants place the trans flag above the &#8216;progress pride&#8217; flag, which is a modification of the rainbow flag that expressly honors the trans identity? How captured is this organization?&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The top of the pole is a position of honor, indicating a greater rank.
Why did the SF Giants place the trans flag above the “progress pride” flag, which is a modification of the rainbow flag that expressly honors the trans identity?
How captured is this organization? <a href="https://t.co/H4jXLz7aGr">pic.twitter.com/H4jXLz7aGr</a>
— Laura Powell (@LauraPowellEsq) <a href="https://x.com/LauraPowellEsq/status/2069674193395023905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2026</a></blockquote>
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mlb-scrambles-for-damage-control-after-targeting-christian-players-no-ones-buying-it">MLB Scrambles For Damage Control After Targeting Christian Players. No One’s Buying It.</a>

Athletics v. San Francisco Giants

MLB ‘Pride Night’ Fiasco Takes Another Turn

Baseball

Pride

San Francisco Giants

Newly surfaced audio shows Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico admitting his disdain for biblical Christianity as he continues to push his fringe faith worldview across the Lone Star State.
In unearthed audio obtained by <a href="https://thefederalist.com/2026/06/23/exclusive-james-talarico-described-himself-as-a-christian-who-hates-christianity/">The Federalist</a>, Talarico described himself as a “Christian who hates Christianity” during an appearance on a Left-wing podcast.
“I always think of myself as a Christian who hates Christianity,” Talarico said in March 2021. “And I always get drawn back into it.” 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
🚨 UNEARTHED
In an interview with a self-described “TransQueer” activist theologian, Texas Democrat James Talarico says he &#8220;hates&#8221; Christianity:
&#8220;I always think of myself as a Christian who hates Christianity.” <a href="https://t.co/wFEONx03CW">pic.twitter.com/wFEONx03CW</a>
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) <a href="https://x.com/RNCResearch/status/2069421193812148502?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2026</a></blockquote>
Talarico made the comments on <a href="https://divinity.duke.edu/faculty/roberto-che-espinoza">Roberto Che Espinoza’s</a> &#8220;Activist Theology&#8221; podcast. Espinoza, who <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/james-talarico-fanboys-for-trans-activist-theologian-who-pushes-bizarre-views-on-christianity">identifies</a> as a “nonbinary, transgender, Latinx theologian on the autistic spectrum,” previously taught courses at Duke Divinity School, including “Queer Theory and Theology.&#8221;
Before appearing on the podcast, Talarico praised Espinoza on social media, saying he was a “BIG fan.” 
“Dr. Henderson-Espinoza!! I’m a BIG fan,” Talarico <a href="https://x.com/jamestalarico/status/1364078677424676866?s=20">said</a> in February 2021. “I read Activist Theology last year! As a progressive Christian in Texas, your work is an inspiration. I would love to talk with you!!” 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Dr. Henderson-Espinoza!! I’m a BIG fan. I read Activist Theology last year! As a progressive Christian in Texas, your work is an inspiration. I would love to talk with you!! <a href="https://t.co/FvboIajDy2">pic.twitter.com/FvboIajDy2</a>
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) <a href="https://x.com/jamestalarico/status/1364078677424676866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2021</a></blockquote>
The new revelations come as the Senate hopeful attempts to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/james-talarico-is-already-running-from-his-past-self?author=Jacob+Wheeler&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=71&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=James+Talarico+Is+Already+Running+From+His+Past+Self">distance himself</a> from his controversial views on the faith, with fresh polls showing Talarico slipping behind Republican Ken Paxton. 
In a recent <a href="https://x.com/CBSNews/status/2059668066741445059?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2059668066741445059%7Ctwgr%5E66fb7446d172b645dd091a8165857130fac6e8dc%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailywire.com%2Fnews%2Fmlb-walks-back-threats-over-bible-verses-at-pride-night">interview</a> with CBS News, Talarico admitted some of his past comments on faith “missed the mark.” 
“You said God is non-binary. What did you mean by that?” CBS reporter Ed O’Keefe asked.
“I was being intentionally provocative with that statement, but what it means is that God can’t be defined by human categories,” Talarico replied. “The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, says that in Christ there is neither male nor female.”
He added: “I’m always going to stand up for Texans who are being picked on by the most powerful, most corrupt politicians in the country, and I’m going to continue doing that in this race, and hopefully in the U.S. Senate.” 
O’Keefe pressed Talarico again, asking if he regretted “talking about God that way.” 
“There are some statements that I’ve made that I certainly regret. There are statements that I’ve made where I’ve missed the mark,” Talarico conceded. “I’ll be the first to admit that, but Ken Paxton is intentionally clipping my cringey comments to distract from his career of corruption.” 
Talarico appeared to be referring to a viral 60-second super PAC ad supporting Paxton that compiled some of Talarico’s most controversial comments, including calling the American flag a “complicated symbol,” saying he loves transgender children, and stating that he believes there are six genders.
“Low T Talarico – too weak for Texas,” <a href="https://x.com/AdImpact_Pol/status/2057837653802795180?s=20">the spot said</a>. 
Democrats — and their donors — are banking on Talarico’s faith to help make inroads with religious voters. <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/religious-landscape-study/state/texas/">About 67% of Texas adults</a> identify as Christian, including large evangelical and Catholic communities.
Josh Howerton, senior pastor at Lake Pointe, a multisite church based in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, is leading the theological charge against Talarico. 
“Sometimes Christians naively go, well, there&#8217;s nice people, and there&#8217;s mean people. Well, hey guys, we&#8217;re not four years old anymore,” Howerton <a href="https://x.com/howertonjosh/status/2062555645258174582?s=20">said in a recent podcast</a>. 
“There&#8217;s nice people who do good things, there&#8217;s rough people who do good things, then there&#8217;s nice people who do evil things, and there&#8217;s rough people who do evil things. The most dangerous one of the four are nice people who do evil things. That&#8217;s what Jesus called wolves in sheep&#8217;s clothing,” he added.  
The Paxton-Talarico race, which could play a major role in determining control of the upper chamber, is set for November 3.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
The theology of voting 🔽
Christians have been deceived and manipulated on this issue for decades. You need to understand what your vote IS&#8230; and what it IS NOT.
Step 1. Make sure you&#8217;re on the right &#8220;team.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/nrZbBmmHWt">pic.twitter.com/nrZbBmmHWt</a>
— Josh Howerton (@howertonjosh) <a href="https://x.com/howertonjosh/status/2062555645258174582?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2026</a></blockquote>

Raging Moderates Live with James Talarico

Talarico Says He Hates Christianity In Unearthed Audio

2026 Midterms

James Talarico

News

The Trump administration will probe whether Major League Baseball is discriminating against Christian players who pushed back against “Pride” month messaging.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon told MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred on Thursday that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will investigate the league for religious discrimination. The notification came after the league warned several players who wrote Bible verses on the “Pride” caps they were issued for a game. 
“The Civil Rights Act prohibits MLB and its franchises from unreasonably burdening the rights of players with religious objections to serving as the League&#8217;s vehicle for pro-Pride messages,” Dhillon <a href="https://x.com/AAGDhillon/status/2067709644185759938">wrote</a> in a letter to Manfred.
Dhillon suggested that she did not buy the MLB’s claims that they only warned the players because of a policy against writing on uniform equipment.  
“Yet, MLB has allowed players to wear uniform patches reading ‘Black Lives Matter.’ This double standard — under which players may not inscribe Bible verses on hats for one game only but may wear ‘Black Lives Matter’ patches for one game only — calls MLB&#8217;s true motives into question and raises serious concerns about MLB&#8217;s compliance with Title VII,” Dhillon wrote. 
“The Trump Administration is committed to combatting religious discrimination,” Dhillon added. “The Department of Justice will use all available means to hold employers accountable for violating the religious rights of their employees.”
The controversy started last week when San Francisco Giants starting pitcher <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/giants-pitcher-refuses-to-hide-christian-faith-during-pride-night">Landen Roupp</a> wrote a Bible passage found in Genesis onto his cap, right next to the LGBT-themed rainbow logo he was directed to wear. Fellow players JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker also added Bible verses to their caps. 
MLB’s Chief Communications Officer Pat Courtney told The Athletic on Monday that these players have been “warned” about “future violations.” He said that writing on the team’s baseball caps “violates our rules.”
Those warnings spurred backlash from elected officials who argued the MLB was targeting Christians. 
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) sent a letter to Manfred asking him to provide further detail about the league’s policies. 
“The freedom to live out one’s faith does not end at the ballpark gate. Americans of every creed are entitled to confidence that the institutions of our national pastime will not single out religious expression for punishment while celebrating messages of the league’s own choosing,” he said. 
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said that the MLB should expect to be hearing from his office “soon.”

Los Angeles Dodgers v. San Francisco Giants

Trump Admin Takes On MLB Over ‘Pride’ Hat Controversy

Department of Justice

Harmeet Dhillon

Religious Liberty

Sports

Trump Administration

Major League Baseball has officially warned San Francisco Giants players who counter-signaled or rejected the team&#8217;s LGBT &#8220;Pride Night.&#8221;
Starting pitcher <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/giants-pitcher-refuses-to-hide-christian-faith-during-pride-night">Landen Roupp</a> on Friday etched a Bible passage found in Genesis onto his Giants cap, right next to the LGBT-themed rainbow logo he was directed to wear. Other players, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker, followed suit in standing up for their Christian faith, also adding Bible verses. And relief pitcher Sam Hentges refused to wear the rainbow cap altogether, stating, &#8220;I don&#8217;t morally support it.&#8221;
MLB’s chief communications officer Pat Courtney told The Athletic on Monday that these players have been &#8220;warned&#8221; about &#8220;future violations.&#8221; He said that writing on the team&#8217;s baseball caps &#8220;violates our rules.&#8221;
The Giants also addressed the Christian players. In a statement ironically about &#8220;inclusion,&#8221; the team apologized for its players apparently causing &#8220;pain and anger to many in the LGBTQ+ community.&#8221;
“The San Francisco Giants are proud to support Pride Night and the LGBTQ+ community,&#8221; the statement said. &#8220;Baseball should be a place where everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued.&#8221;
&#8220;We also respect that individuals may make personal choices about participating in team activations,&#8221; the team continued. &#8220;We understand that the choices by individual players have caused pain and anger to many in the LGBTQ+ community and we are sorry for that.&#8221;
&#8220;Those choices do not change our organization’s commitment to inclusion, belonging, and creating a welcoming environment for all,&#8221; the statement closed. &#8220;We remain grateful to our fans, partners, employees, players, and coaches who help make Pride Night a meaningful celebration.”
<div id="attachment_1116807" style="width: 833px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1116807" class="wp-image-1116807 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2281423727-823x576.jpg" alt="" width="823" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2281423727-823x576.jpg 823w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2281423727-300x210.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2281423727-768x538.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2281423727.jpg 1024w" sizes=" (max-width: 823px) 100vw, 823px" />Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images</div>
Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet reacted to the MLB &#8220;warning&#8221; with his own warning — a sentiment widely expressed online.
&#8220;MLB should tread carefully,&#8221; he posted. &#8220;There’s a lot more us fans that agree with the pitchers than with the league when it comes to pride night propaganda. Let the MLB be warned, not the pitchers. Be careful, MLB.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
MLB should tread carefully. There’s a lot more us fans that agree with the pitchers than with the league when it comes to pride night propaganda.
Let the MLB be warned, not the pitchers.
Be careful, MLB. <a href="https://t.co/pCeHh009y5">https://t.co/pCeHh009y5</a>
— Andrew Kolvet (@AndrewKolvet) <a href="https://x.com/AndrewKolvet/status/2066740999737770208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2026</a></blockquote>
Daily Wire culture reporter Megan Basham noted that the rainbow symbol is Christian based. &#8220;The LGBTQ movement appropriated the rainbow symbol from Christianity. Now Christians are taking it back. Deal with it,&#8221; she wrote.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The LGBTQ movement appropriated the rainbow symbol from Christianity. Now Christians are taking it back. Deal with it. <a href="https://t.co/i2XmwXeyQR">https://t.co/i2XmwXeyQR</a>
— Megan Basham (@megbasham) <a href="https://x.com/megbasham/status/2066754376543429037?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2026</a></blockquote>
Actor Rob Schneider called the MLB &#8220;anti-Christian&#8221; and said he&#8217;d &#8220;pay the fines for any [MLB] Christian player who wears a Bible verse on their uniform.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I will pay the fines for any <a href="https://x.com/MLB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLB</a> Christian player who wears a Bible verse on their uniform.<a href="https://x.com/MLB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLB</a> is ANTI-CHRISTIAN <a href="https://t.co/miAT89eXJu">https://t.co/miAT89eXJu</a>
— Rob Schneider 🇺🇸 (@RobSchneider) <a href="https://x.com/RobSchneider/status/2066796902021210190?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2026</a></blockquote>
As highlighted by <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/giants-pitcher-refuses-to-hide-christian-faith-during-pride-night">The Daily Wire</a>, the Giants&#8217; &#8220;Pride Night&#8221; was held on Friday. The game was dedicated as a “celebration of Pride and the LGBTQIA+ community” and included “pregame festivities, in-game celebrations, and appearances,&#8221; <a href="https://www.mlb.com/giants/tickets/specials/pride-celebration">according</a> to the MLB. Same-sex couples renewed their marriage vows on the field in the presence of a drag queen, and the Giants celebrated the LGBT community <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/san-francisco-giants-pitcher-writes-bible-verse-hat-defiance-pride-night">through rainbow-colored hats</a>, Fox News reported.
Roupp inscribed a Bible passage from Genesis 9 on his cap. The verses describe God’s promise to Noah and all future generations that he would never again destroy the earth with a flood, with the rainbow serving as the sign of that covenant:
<blockquote>And God said, &#8220;This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth, and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.&#8221; — Genesis 9:12-16</blockquote>
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/giants-pitcher-refuses-to-hide-christian-faith-during-pride-night">Giants Pitcher Refuses To Hide Christian Faith During Pride Night</a>

Giants Final

MLB Targets Christian Players Who Rejected LGBT ‘Pride Night’

MLB Targets Giants Players Who Rejected LGBT ‘Pride Night’ 

Bible

LGBT

Pride Month

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One of the oldest and most sacred Christian monasteries in the world was set ablaze overnight Monday when Russia launched a massive <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/14/europe/kyiv-pechersk-lavra-monastery-fire-russian-attack-intl-">missile and drone assault</a> on Kyiv, damaging the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra — a site that has stood as the spiritual heart of Eastern Orthodox Christianity for nearly a thousand years.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Russia hit Kiev Pechersk Lavra tonight—intentionally or not doesn’t matter.
Lavra is one of the most important monasteries in Russian Orthodoxy. It was founded in a cave in the 11th century and important historical personalities are buried there, including Nicholas II Prime… <a href="https://t.co/7lI9XPmFj8">pic.twitter.com/7lI9XPmFj8</a>
&mdash; Katya Sedgwick (@KatyaSedgwick) <a href="https://x.com/KatyaSedgwick/status/2066396581751075237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2026</a></blockquote>
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The Lavra, founded in 1051 by a monk named Anthony who had trained on Mount Athos, is not merely a Ukrainian landmark. It is among the founding institutions of Christian civilization in the Slavic world, the monastery where the region&#8217;s earliest written histories were composed, where saints are entombed in underground caves, and where pilgrims have traveled for centuries from across the Orthodox world. UNESCO had already placed it on its World Heritage in Danger list since Russia&#8217;s full-scale invasion began.
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Ukraine&#8217;s emergency services reported that 800 square meters of the Dormition Cathedral&#8217;s roof were destroyed in the blaze, with a separate fire consuming 1,000 square meters of an adjacent national cultural complex. Firefighters battled through the night beneath the monastery&#8217;s iconic towers and domes. At least nine people were killed across Ukraine in the overnight assault — four in Kyiv, and five rescue workers in Kharkiv responding to an earlier strike — after Russia launched 611 drones and 70 missiles.
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President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the smoldering site Monday, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/world/ukraine/russia-attacks-fire-kyiv-pechersk-lavra-ukraine-monastery-rcna350077">calling</a> the attack &#8220;one of Russia&#8217;s most serious crimes against Christian culture to date.&#8221; Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv called it &#8220;a crime against humanity, against history, against Christianity.&#8221; Ukraine&#8217;s foreign minister called Russian dictator Vladimir Putin &#8220;the 21st century&#8217;s worst barbarian.&#8221;
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Russia denied responsibility, claiming a stray Ukrainian Patriot missile caused the damage. Ukraine&#8217;s security service rejected that, citing drone wreckage recovered at the scene.
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The attack carries a grim historical echo. This is not the first time the Dormition Cathedral has been destroyed on Moscow&#8217;s orders. In 1941, retreating Soviet NKVD operatives mined much of central Kyiv before abandoning it, demolishing the cathedral and killing thousands of civilians in the process. The Soviet Union blamed the Nazis for the Katyn massacre — and that lie held for decades. The cathedral was only fully rebuilt after Ukrainian independence, consecrated in the year 2000.
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The monastery has endured Mongol sackings, Golden Horde raids, Soviet secularization, and World War II destruction. Each time, it was rebuilt. Its underground caves still hold the naturally mummified remains of medieval saints, including Nestor the Chronicler, author of the region&#8217;s earliest histories. Its bell towers and baroque churches have defined the Kyiv skyline for centuries.
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Whether this latest assault represents another wound from which the Lavra will recover — or something more final — will depend on how the war ends. What is not in question is what was attacked: not just a Ukrainian building, but one of the living roots of Christian civilization.
</div>

Russia Strikes Kyiv in Large Scale Drone and Missile Attack

Russia Sets One Of Christianity’s Holiest Sites Ablaze In Bombing

Kyiv

Russia

Ukraine

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp stood up for his Christian faith by inscribing a Bible verse in silver next to the rainbow logo on his cap.
On Friday, the baseball team held &#8220;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/giants/tickets/specials/pride-celebration">Pride Night</a>,&#8221; dedicating the game to a “celebration of Pride and the LGBTQIA+ community” that included “pregame festivities, in-game celebrations, and appearances.” The event featured same-sex couples renewing their marriage vows on the field in the presence of a drag queen, and the team celebrated the LGBTQ community <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/san-francisco-giants-pitcher-writes-bible-verse-hat-defiance-pride-night">through rainbow-colored hats</a>, according to FOX. 
A few players, however, took a stand — including Landen Roupp, who was raised in rural North Carolina and attended a <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/06/12/sports/giants-pitcher-landen-roupp-wears-pride-night-hat-with-bible-verse/">private Christian school</a>. Before heading to the mound, he inscribed the Bible passage from Genesis 9 on his cap.
The verses describe God’s promise to Noah and all future generations that he would never again destroy the earth with a flood, with the rainbow serving as the sign of that covenant.
&#8220;And God said, &#8216;This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth, and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.'&#8221; Genesis 9:12-16
An article from The Athletic <a href="https://x.com/nytimes/status/2066229208305594545?s=20">expressed outrage</a> over their decision, saying the Bible verses “missed the point”  during a night that was &#8220;supposed to be dedicated to support and belonging.&#8221; 
After the game, Roupp said his Biblical gesture reflected his moral convictions. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Why was it important to write that verse tonight?
ROUPP: &#8220;The rainbow is a symbol of God&#8217;s covenant to us, and us as believers stand firm in that&#8230; There&#8217;s no hate at all.&#8221;
What would say if somebody considered that derogatory toward them as a community?
ROUPP: &#8220;As a… <a href="https://t.co/jaEs3ikn4U">https://t.co/jaEs3ikn4U</a> <a href="https://t.co/yYOaJ0UvE7">pic.twitter.com/yYOaJ0UvE7</a>
— KNBR (@KNBR) <a href="https://x.com/KNBR/status/2065672807498015185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2026</a></blockquote>
“The rainbow is a symbol of God’s covenant with us, and we as believers stand firm in that … There’s no hate at all,” he told reporters. “It’s just what I stand for and what I stand in, I believe in God.”
“What would you say if somebody considered that derogatory toward them as a community?” a reporter asked him.
“As a believer, I would push them to read the Bible. God has blessed me in so many ways, and I don’t think I’d be here right now if it wasn’t for Him.” 
Roupp was not alone. His reliever, Sam Hentges, refused to wear the hat at all, for a very similar reason. 
“I don’t morally support it,” <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/giants/article/sf-giants-sam-hentges-explains-decision-not-wear-22304312.php">he said.</a> 
<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/710810/support-lgbtq-issues-remains-down-peak.aspx">A recent Gallup poll</a> showed that Roupp and Hentges are not alone, revealing declining support for LGBTQ+ issues across the board. 
The poll said same-sex marriage support dropped to 65%, which is down 6 points, and moral acceptance of gay/lesbian relations stood at 62% — the lowest since 2016. 
The decline in support was driven largely by Republicans, with only 35% approving of same-sex marriage, the lowest level since 2011. The percentage of Americans who view gender transitions as morally acceptable also fell to 38%.

A rainbow flag

Giants Pitcher Refuses To Hide Christian Faith During Pride Night

Faith

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