INTERNACIONAL
‘Pagan’ outreach, Wiccan prayer defense could haunt Dem in battleground race
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Republicans are escalating attacks on Iowa Democratic candidate Sarah Trone Garriott by pointing to her past op-eds — including her defense of a Wiccan-led statehouse prayer in which she argued «Jesus engaged with pagans» — in a high-stakes race for a GOP-held district.
Democratic congressional candidate Sarah Trone Garriott, a Lutheran minister who is vying for the battleground seat held by Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, penned an op-ed in The Des Moines Register in 2015 criticizing Christian lawmakers who boycotted a Wiccan-led statehouse prayer. This writing and others, including another op-ed in which she shared how the 9/11 terrorist attacks made her «more aware of the rising anti-Muslim bigotry and its harm,» have become the target of GOP attacks as the Republicans ramp up efforts to defend their House majority.
«Sarah Trone Garriott is once again wagging her finger at Iowans for not being woke enough and embracing her coastal elite Harvard values,» RNC spokesman Zachary Kraft said in a statement to Fox News Digital. «Trone Garriott better hope those spells and potions work if her campaign strategy is to oppose men in women’s sports and embrace neopagan witchcraft.»
Garriott’s 2015 opinion piece titled, ‘Look closely at scripture before acting in faith,’ blasted Iowa lawmakers for skipping the prayer led by a self-described «cabot witch,» saying they didn’t «look closely and honestly» at Christian Holy Scriptures when deciding to boycott.
CBS NEWS’ MARGARET BRENNAN ACCUSED OF MOCKING PEOPLE OF FAITH AFTER PETE HEGSETH’S PRAYER REMARKS
State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott, D-West Des Moines, speaks during debate on a bill in the Iowa Senate at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa, on March 14, 2023. (Charlie Neibergall / AP)
A spokesperson for Garriott shared in a statement to Fox News Digital that the message behind her opinion piece was to call on her fellow Christians to love everyone, including pagans.
«As Sarah said, her faith in God calls her to follow Jesus’ example of loving one’s neighbor and spreading His grace to everyone, including those whose belief systems are fundamentally different from her own Christianity,» a spokesperson for Garriott said. «Scripture teaches Jesus’ unconditional grace, and that’s the belief that grounds Sarah’s life and ministry.»
Wicca is a modern pagan tradition in which members worship a Goddess and God and engage in witchcraft and rituals. One Iowa House member who boycotted told The Des Moines Register at the time that he felt uncomfortable «seeking guidance from the occult.»
Another lawmaker told The Des Moines Register he attended the invocation but turned his back in protest, saying he asked himself what Jesus would do and felt compelled to act in that way.
«Clearly, Christian elected officials should be asking, ‘What would Jesus do?’ when it comes to matters of budget and public safety,» Garriott wrote. «But at the least, as a Christian, I would appreciate it if they would actually consult the recorded witness of Jesus’ life and teaching before claiming to act in his name.»
WARNOCK LIKENS PRO-TRUMP CHRISTIAN LEADERS TO THOSE WHO USED SCRIPTURE TO DEFEND SLAVERY
Rudy Alderette’s altar in his Fresno, California home includes a cauldron with a pentagram, a wand, chalice, statues of the Wiccan god and goddess, and incense holder. (Darrell Wong / Fresno Bee / Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Garriott wrote that «Christians specifically» should be aware that Jesus interacted with pagans throughout the New Testament, noting that Jesus always acted from «a place of kindness and compassion,» and that he «did not turn his back» on the pagans he met.
She listed Mark 7:24-30, Luke 8:26-39, Matthew 15:21-28 and John 4:5-38 as examples of Jesus interacting with pagans. In those passages, Jesus is depicted interacting with non-Jews but not participating in their religious practices.
Garriott next suggested that Jesus Christ was more concerned with the behavior of Christians than with pagans.
«Instead, it was the hypocrisy of those of his own religious community that Jesus protested — and not silently,» Garriott wrote.
TEXAS DEMOCRATIC SENATE NOMINEE JAMES TALARICO DOUBLES DOWN ON GOD BEING «BEYOND GENDER» COMMENTS
Congressman-elect Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) attends orientation for newly elected members of the 118th U.S. Congress, following the 2022 midterm elections, at the Hyatt Hotel in Washington, U.S., November 13, 2022. (REUTERS/Michael A. McCoy)
Nunn’s spokesperson Mark Matava weighed in, arguing the opinion piece is just another example of Garriott’s «preachy» radical views.
«Sarah Trone Garriott has been lecturing Iowans for over a decade,» Matava said. «Choose a Christian school for your kids and she calls it segregation. Stand up for your daughter in sports and she calls it sexism. Walk out of a witchcraft invocation and she calls it bigotry.»
Garriott has previously criticized the display of Christian symbols in political spaces, arguing America is «not a Christian nation,» but «it’s a nation for all of us,» in remarks before her congregation.
In early April, RNC Research posted on X a clip of Garriott speaking in which she shared the «uncomfortable ways» in which Christianity was showing up in politics. She argued that the conflation of the American flag and cross is an example of how Christianity has become «threatening.»
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
In another clip posted by RNC Research, Garriott talked about how Iowa has «a long way to go» to ensure that Iowans are truly represented.
«It’s mostly white, mostly Christian, mostly older men,» Garriott said. «We have tremendous opportunities to get different kinds of people who represent our community into those leadership positions.»
midterm elections, iowa, faith values, democrats, republicans, controversies
INTERNACIONAL
Israel y Líbano celebraron su primera ronda de diálogo en Washington y acordaron iniciar negociaciones para enfrentar a Hezbollah
Israel y Líbano mantuvieron este martes en Washington su primeras conversaciones directas desde 1983, en una señal inédita de acercamiento frente a la amenaza común que representa Hezbollah en la región. Tel Aviv y Beirut han acordado iniciar negociaciones directas en una fecha y lugar acordados mutuamente, informó el Departamento de Estado en un comunicado
Al término de la reunión, el embajador israelí en Estados Unidos, Yechiel Leiter, afirmó ante la prensa que las delegaciones compartieron una visión común sobre el futuro de la región.
“Descubrimos hoy que estamos del mismo lado. Nos une el objetivo de liberar a Líbano de Hezbollah”, afirmó tras la reunión, que se extendió por más de dos horas en la sede del Departamento de Estado norteamericano.
El diplomático israelí remarcó que esta cita representa “el inicio de una batalla fuerte y consistente contra Hezbollah” y añadió: “Nunca han estado tan debilitados como ahora. Juntos seguiremos eliminando la amenaza de este agente iraní, tan dañino para la región”.
“No queremos a los franceses cerca de este proceso, ni en nada que tenga que ver con la paz en la región. Son una influencia negativa, especialmente en Líbano”, opinó el embajador israelí. El comentario se produjo luego de que el presidente francés, Emmanuel Macron, reclamara la inclusión de Líbano en el alto el fuego regional.
Durante el diálogo, Israel y Líbano abordaron la posibilidad de definir una frontera clara y estable, con la expectativa de que el futuro cruce territorial entre ambos países se limite a “negocios o turismo”.
Leiter recalcó que “la seguridad de los ciudadanos israelíes no es negociable” y que el desarme de Hezbollah es una condición esencial para cualquier avance hacia la paz.
“El gobierno libanés manifestó una fuerte voluntad de desarmar a Hezbollah. Dejan claro que ya no quieren estar ocupados por ese grupo”, puntualizó.
La reunión fue facilitada por el secretario de Estado de Estados Unidos, Marco Rubio, quien instó a las partes a aprovechar la “oportunidad histórica” que representa este acercamiento.
Rubio subrayó que el proceso enfrenta décadas de desconfianza y complejidad, pero apostó a la construcción de un marco que permita un acuerdo duradero.
“Se trata de poner fin de forma definitiva a 20 o 30 años de influencia de Hezbollah en esta parte del mundo, y no solo al daño que ha infligido a Israel, sino también al daño que ha infligido al pueblo libanés”, declaró.
El contexto de la reunión estuvo marcado por el rechazo abierto de Hezbollah, que en paralelo al inicio de las conversaciones lanzó salvas de cohetes contra trece localidades del norte de Israel.
El grupo armado, apoyado por Irán, había pedido al gobierno libanés que abandonara el proceso y boicoteara el diálogo. El presidente de Líbano, Joseph Aoun, en cambio, manifestó un día antes su esperanza de que el canal abierto en Washington sirva para lograr un alto el fuego y avanzar hacia negociaciones bilaterales directas.
En los últimos meses, la escalada militar en la frontera norte de Israel y el sur de Líbano ha dejado más de dos mil víctimas y ha provocado el desplazamiento de más de un millón de personas, además de ataques aéreos de gran magnitud sobre Beirut.
El primer ministro israelí, Benjamin Netanyahu, enfatizó recientemente que el objetivo es el desmantelamiento del arsenal de Hezbollah y la consecución de un acuerdo de paz que pueda perdurar por generaciones.
Leiter aprovechó la oportunidad para descartar el involucramiento de Francia en eventuales negociaciones futuras.
Aunque no se definió una fecha para el próximo encuentro, ambas delegaciones acordaron llevar las propuestas discutidas a sus respectivos gobiernos.
Leiter anticipó que espera que las conversaciones se reanuden en las próximas semanas, con la mira puesta en la construcción de un acuerdo que regule tanto los aspectos de seguridad como los civiles, para avanzar hacia una relación “tan armoniosa como la que Israel mantiene con los países de los Acuerdos de Abraham”.
La jornada dejó en claro que, por primera vez en décadas, Israel y Líbano exploran abiertamente la posibilidad de un acuerdo directo, con el desarme de Hezbollah como eje central de la agenda y el respaldo activo de Estados Unidos como mediador.
(Con información de AFP y EFE)
International,Relations,Diplomacy / Foreign Policy,North America
CENTCOM announces 10K US troops aiding Strait of Hormuz blockade
Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy reports on the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warns of an ‘Iran war tax.’ Retired USMC Col. Mike Jernigan provides analysis on ‘The Faulkner Focus.’
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Mossad Director Dadi Barnea declared Tuesday that Israel’s operations against Iran will end «only once the extremist regime in Iran is replaced.»
Barnea made the remark during a Holocaust commemoration event, according to The Wall Street Journal.
«We meticulously planned so that our operations would continue and manifest themselves even in the period following the strikes in Tehran,» Barnea reportedly said. «Our commitment will be fulfilled only once the extremist regime in Iran is replaced.»
«Forty days of intense combat have led to highly significant achievements, foremost among them a blow to the enemy’s central objective — the destruction of the State of Israel,» Barnea added, according to Ynetnews. «However, our mission has not yet been completed.»
LIVE UPDATES: FRESH IRAN TALKS COULD BEGIN THIS WEEK AS US CONTINUES BLOCKADE ON PORTS
File photo shows Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, attending a demonstration to mark Jerusalem day in Tehran. (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto)
Israel began its Operation Roaring Lion against Iran on Feb. 28, the same day the U.S. military launched Operation Epic Fury.
The joint U.S.-Israel effort has decimated Iran’s military and missile infrastructure and resulted in the death of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei.
CHINA SLAMS US MILITARY BLOCKADE OF STRAIT OF HORMUZ AS A ‘DANGEROUS AND IRRESPONSIBLE MOVE’
Iranâs Assembly of Experts has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei (R) as the nationâs new supreme leader, succeeding his father, Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, capital of Iran, on March 4, 2026. (Iranian President’s Press Office/Anadolu)
Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is severely disfigured after sustaining leg and face injuries during initial airstrikes on Tehran in February, Reuters reported earlier this week.
Former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei arrives to cast his vote during the 2024 presidential election. (Sobhan Farajvan/Pacific Press)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Khamenei is recovering after incurring the injuries in the Feb. 28 airstrikes that killed his father.
Fox News Digital’s Robert McGreevy contributed to this report.
israel, mojtaba khamenei, ali khamenei, war with iran, iran
CENTCOM announces 10K US troops aiding Strait of Hormuz blockade
Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy reports on the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warns of an ‘Iran war tax.’ Retired USMC Col. Mike Jernigan provides analysis on ‘The Faulkner Focus.’
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Mossad Director Dadi Barnea declared Tuesday that Israel’s operations against Iran will end «only once the extremist regime in Iran is replaced.»
Barnea made the remark during a Holocaust commemoration event, according to The Wall Street Journal.
«We meticulously planned so that our operations would continue and manifest themselves even in the period following the strikes in Tehran,» Barnea reportedly said. «Our commitment will be fulfilled only once the extremist regime in Iran is replaced.»
«Forty days of intense combat have led to highly significant achievements, foremost among them a blow to the enemy’s central objective — the destruction of the State of Israel,» Barnea added, according to Ynetnews. «However, our mission has not yet been completed.»
LIVE UPDATES: FRESH IRAN TALKS COULD BEGIN THIS WEEK AS US CONTINUES BLOCKADE ON PORTS
File photo shows Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, attending a demonstration to mark Jerusalem day in Tehran. (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto)
Israel began its Operation Roaring Lion against Iran on Feb. 28, the same day the U.S. military launched Operation Epic Fury.
The joint U.S.-Israel effort has decimated Iran’s military and missile infrastructure and resulted in the death of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei.
CHINA SLAMS US MILITARY BLOCKADE OF STRAIT OF HORMUZ AS A ‘DANGEROUS AND IRRESPONSIBLE MOVE’
Iranâs Assembly of Experts has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei (R) as the nationâs new supreme leader, succeeding his father, Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, capital of Iran, on March 4, 2026. (Iranian President’s Press Office/Anadolu)
Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is severely disfigured after sustaining leg and face injuries during initial airstrikes on Tehran in February, Reuters reported earlier this week.
Former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei arrives to cast his vote during the 2024 presidential election. (Sobhan Farajvan/Pacific Press)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Khamenei is recovering after incurring the injuries in the Feb. 28 airstrikes that killed his father.
Fox News Digital’s Robert McGreevy contributed to this report.
israel, mojtaba khamenei, ali khamenei, war with iran, iran
“Fracaso rotundo”: críticas de la oposición por el número de inflación
Más argentinos se despiden del asadito del domingo por los precios y lo sustituyen por este producto
Bombazo: Javier Mascherano dejó de ser entrenador de Inter Miami
Santilli adelantó que el Gobierno impulsará una reforma tributaria y contó qué les dijo Milei sobre Adorni
Qué significa que una persona siempre deje la taza sin terminar, según la psicología
Israel y Líbano celebraron su primera ronda de diálogo en Washington y acordaron iniciar negociaciones para enfrentar a Hezbollah
La Libertad Avanza suma territorialidad en Córdoba y se ilusiona con el desgaste peronista: las tensiones con la UCR
Participantes for export: Furia Scaglione y Coty Romero volverán a convivir en un reality español
Los cuestionamientos a Manuel Adorni llegan a España, donde ya lo comparan con el caso de un ministro de Pedro Sánchez preso
Russia seizes control of US-linked firm as it pushes for renewed ties with Washington
POLITICA2 días agoLa Libertad Avanza suma territorialidad en Córdoba y se ilusiona con el desgaste peronista: las tensiones con la UCR
- INTERNACIONAL2 días ago
Los cuestionamientos a Manuel Adorni llegan a España, donde ya lo comparan con el caso de un ministro de Pedro Sánchez preso
- INTERNACIONAL2 días ago
Pope Leo XIV to visit fastest-growing Catholic continent during 4-nation Africa trip
