Washington (CNN)A Republican lawmaker on Wednesday asserted that Jesus Christ had more due process before his crucifixion than President Donald Trump has received during the House impeachment inquiry.
Rep. Barry Loudermilk of Georgia was decrying the fact that that the intelligence community whistleblower, whose complaint about Trump's conversations with Ukraine sparked the impeachment inquiry, was never called to testify when he invoked Jesus during debate over the articles of impeachment on the House floor.
"Before you take this historic vote today, one week before Christmas, I want you to keep this in mind: When Jesus was falsely accused of treason, Pontius Pilate gave Jesus the opportunity to face his accusers," he said.
"During that sham trial, Pontius Pilate afforded more rights to Jesus than the Democrats have afforded this President in this process."
In reality, the House impeachment proceedings bear no resemblance to Jesus' crucifixion.
According to the New Testament, one of Jesus' followers arranged for Christ to be arrested. Then, after a series of what the Scripture calls "false witnesses" testified, he was accused of blasphemy. Later, Pilate gave the crowd gathered outside his residence a choice between releasing Jesus or a different prisoner named Barabbas. The crowd chose Barabbas.
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway told reporters later on Wednesday that she hadn't seen the comments. "I think the President is being treated very unfairly and I wish that weren't the case," she said. "I don't like many Jesus comparisons."
