President Obama’s biblical references to justify his executive action on immigration didn’t sit so well with some in the conservative camp, with one notable pundit — commentator and columnist Charles Krauthammer — characterizing the spiritual reference as both “remarkable” and audacious.
Mr. Obama included a brief citation from Exodus in his televised remarks about his planned amnesty path without congressional permission.
His words: “Scripture tells us we shall not oppress a stranger for we know the heart of a stranger — we were strangers once, too.”
Fox News hosts on Friday questioned the president’s sincerity of his biblically-based message, and cut to a video clip of Mr. Krauthammer outright lambasting Mr. Obama’s political maneuverings on immigration.
“I find the president’s audacity here rather remarkable,” Mr. Krauthammer said, referring to Mr. Obama’s insistence to tell “why [he] feels so strongly” about granting amnesty to nearly 5 million illegals.
“Well, if you felt so strongly about the issue, why … delay announcing this until he got past the election? Because he knew it would damage Democrats’ chances in the election,” Mr. Krauthammer said, on Fox News. “If he feels so strongly … and Scripture dictates this ought to be done, why did he do nothing about this in 2009 and 2010 when he had control of the Congress … when he could have done this constitutionally?”
Also on Friday on Fox News, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the illegal immigration plan was only temporary, and the president would revoke his executive action to legalize millions if Congress acted — ostensibly, in accordance with Mr. Obama’s will.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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