Real Patriots Speak Out. Scripture Told Us Why.
When leaders retaliate against critics, it’s a warning sign—and scripture saw it coming.
In a chilling development, President Donald Trump signed executive orders targeting two former officials—Chris Krebs and Miles Taylor—not for breaking the law, but for publicly contradicting his false claims about the 2020 election.
Trump himself appointed both men. Both served this country with integrity. And both became targets simply for telling the truth.
Chris Krebs, a Republican and cybersecurity expert, led the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). After the 2020 election, Krebs stated unequivocally that the vote was “the most secure in American history.” He was promptly fired.
Miles Taylor, who served as Chief of Staff at DHS, later revealed himself as the anonymous author of a 2018 op-ed warning about Trump’s authoritarian tendencies. Now, Trump has ordered a Justice Department investigation into him—accusing him of treason.
As Bright America put it:
“Real patriots speak out—even when it’s risky.”
But what happens when people believe telling the truth becomes too risky? What happens when we don’t speak up or speak out?
“Give Us a King!”
“No!” the people said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations.” — 1 Samuel 8:19-20
Authoritarianism isn’t new. Scripture warned us long ago.
In ancient times, God’s people were led by prophets, not monarchs. But eventually, they grew weary. They wanted a king—a ruler, a military, a show of power.
Samuel is heartbroken. But God replies: “They haven’t rejected you. They’ve rejected me.”
Still, God allows it—with a warning:
He will take your sons…
He will take your daughters…
He will take your land, your labor, your freedom.
He will take until you yourselves become slaves.
The phrase “He will take…” appears six times. Tyranny is not a glitch. It’s a pattern.
A Faith That Resists Kings
At Sinai, a different vision took shape: a covenantal society. Power was to be shared. Justice upheld. The Law of Moses was profoundly transformative, mandating protections for the poor, immigrants, and those who were vulnerable.
God’s intention wasn’t to crown a king but to raise a people rooted in love, truth, and shared leadership.
Today, as democracy erodes slowly—from gerrymandering to the demonization of dissent—we must remember that authoritarianism thrives on amnesia.
And faith can be the antidote.
Faith Communities as First Responders
From Egypt to Rome to the Jim Crow South, authoritarianism has always stood in opposition to God’s liberating vision. And God’s people have always had a choice: bless empire or resist it.
Churches, mosques, and synagogues can be safe havens for democracy—places where we practice consensus, dissent, and shared power and remember who God is and what God empowers us to do.
What You Can Do
1. Make it a Daily Spiritual Practice to Call Your Members of Congress. Join Bright America and use this page to contact your representatives to stop Trump from silencing his critics. We live in a democracy.We do not want a king. Your members of Congress track calls. Let them know you oppose the abuse of power and the silencing of truth-tellers.
2. Host a Conversation. Use your church, small group, or book club to discuss scripture, democracy, and courage in our times.
📘 Do a book study with my book, Who Stole My Bible? Reclaiming Scripture as a Handbook for Resisting Tyranny.
“Choose this day whom you will serve.”
Not Pharaoh. Not Caesar. Not a king.
But the God who sets people free.
Reflection Questions
What are the signs that a society is shifting from democracy to authoritarianism?
How does your faith tradition understand leadership and power?
Where do you see echoes of “He will take…” in today’s politics?
What gives you hope—and what can you do to protect our democracy?