In this flashback to our January 23 episode, white Christian nationalism and its growing grip on American politics take center stage in this conversation as Joy Reid and Robert P. Jones of PRRI break down footage from a Minnesota church led by a pastor who also serves as an ICE field director, raising questions about faith, power, and immigration enforcement. In this episode, we examine how this movement departs from core Christian teachings and fuels authoritarian policies. The discussion connects history, ideology, and the fight over who gets to define Christianity in public life.
ABOUT JOY REID:
Joy-Ann Lomena Reid (AKA Joy Reid) is a best-selling American author, political journalist and TV host. She was a national correspondent for MSNBC and is best known for hosting the Emmy-nominated, NAACP Award-winning political commentary and analysis show, The ReidOut, from 2020 to 2025. Her previous anchoring credits include The Reid Report (2014–2015) and AM Joy (2016–2020).
ABOUT ROBERT P. (ROBBY) JONES:
Robert P. Jones is the president and founder of Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and New York Times bestselling author. His newest book is Backslide: Reclaiming a Faith and a Nation after the Christian Turn Against Democracy (09/08/2026). He is also the author of The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy and the Path to a Shared American Future; White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity, which won a 2021 American Book Award; and The End of White Christian America, which won the prestigious 2019 Grawemeyer Award in Religion.
Subscribe to Robert’s Substack: Redeeming Democracy:
STAY CONNECTED WITH THE SHOW:
Website: https://www.joyannreid.com
Substack: https://substack.com/@joyannreid
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Joy-Reid-Show/61576759980854/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyreidshow/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejoyreidshow
Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/joyannreid.bsky.social
FOLLOW JOY ON SOCIAL:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joyreidofficial/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyannreid/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joyreidofficial
=============================
Chapters
00:00 Welcome to the Joy Reid Show!
06:06Welcome, Robert P. Jones!
11:18 How MAGA Churches see Jesus?
16:25 Why is a Fixation with Inmegrants?
22:11 What Can We Do About the Situation?
26:50 Final Thoughts
