I am making public this letter I sent to Senators Britt and Tuberville and my Congressman Gary Palmer.
Lives are at stake, my friends, as are international relations. The stakes are huge. And this hyper-militaristic “Christian nationalism” finding voice in this administration must be exposed.
If you wonder why I would post this on Easter Sunday, the real question should be why did he?
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Dear Senator/Congressman,
I write to you today, on Easter Sunday, with deep concern and a sense of moral urgency.
This morning, I was troubled and frankly outraged by a public statement from Donald Trump on Truth Social. The tone—marked by profanity, inflammatory rhetoric, and what appeared to be cavalier references to potential acts of war—was deeply disturbing. Even more grievous to me was the mocking tone toward Islam, particularly on a sacred day in the Christian calendar.
As a person of faith, I believe words matter. Scripture teaches that the tongue has the power of life and death, and that those entrusted with leadership bear an even greater responsibility for the consequences of their speech. When rhetoric escalates, especially in matters of international conflict, it does not remain merely words—it shapes policy, posture, and ultimately human lives.
I am especially concerned about the potential for escalating conflict with Iran. History has shown us how quickly miscalculation, provocation, or reckless language can lead to devastation in war. Any suggestion—implicit or explicit—of actions that would violate international law or target civilian populations must be unequivocally rejected.
I urge you, as my elected representative, to:
* Exercise strong Congressional oversight regarding any military posture or escalation involving Iran
* Publicly affirm the United States’ commitment to international law and the protection of civilian life
* Call for restraint in both language and action from all national leaders
* Work actively to prevent a slide toward catastrophic escalation of conflict in the Middle East
From my Christian perspective, this moment calls not for mockery or provocation, but for humility, restraint, and a commitment to peace. Easter reminds us that the way of Christ is not domination or destruction, but sacrificial love and reconciliation.
I ask you to act—clearly, courageously, and quickly—to help ensure that our nation does not stumble into a war that could have been prevented.
Respectfully,
Rev. Steve West
Irondale, Alabama
