Robinson, Walker respond to criticism of LGBTQ comments, connections to right wing religious group

This week Policy Watch published a story delving into the connections between Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn, former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker and right-wing religious group the American Renewal Project.

The group rejects the separation between church and state -particularly in public schools –  condemns LGBTQ people and Muslims and regularly uses religious war rhetoric while portraying Christians as marginalized and oppressed in America. Robinson, Cawthorn and Walker attended one of the group’s events in Asheville this week. Robinson is scheduled to headline more events for the group through the end of the year.

Since the story was published, Robinson – the state’s highest-ranking Republican elected official – has found himself at the center of yet another controversy over anti-LGBTQ remarks.

This week the group Right Wing Watch posted to Twitter a video of Robinson speaking at Seagrove church in June. In the speech he railed against public schools and LGBTQ people in the sort of language that has been common throughout his time in office. But this video, like the 2018 clip of a public speech on gun rights that took him from political obscurity to high public office, went viral online.

“There’s no reason anybody, anywhere in America should be telling children about transgenderism, homosexuality, any of that filth,” Robinson said in the video clip of his church speech. “Yes, I called it filth.”

The comments have led to calls for his resignation from prominent Democrats and condemnation from the White House.

“These words are repugnant and offensive,” said Andrew Bates, White House deputy press secretary, in a statement Friday. “The role of a leader is to bring people together and stand up for the dignity and rights of everyone; not to spread hate and undermine their own office.”

Robinson is defending the remarks in interviews and statements. On Friday night, he used the controversy in a fund-raising e-mail in which he asked supporters to help him “continue the fight against the left.”

The letter, in its entirety:

Policy Watch’s story did not include any mention of racism concerning Walker, Robinson or Cawthorn. His comments to Policy Watch did not address any of the various specific controversies that are detailed in the story.

Walker’s comments to the Hollywood Reporter on Springsteen in 2016 did not mention the rock star’s impact on vendors or local businesses.

He did describe Springsteen as “a bully” and “known to be on the radical left.”

He then went beyond the HB2 controversy, which Walker suggested Springsteen didn’t properly understand, to make an ill-reasoned musical attack on Springsteen’s judgement.

“This is a guy who has such a lack of discernment that he sang a draft-dodging song at a Veteran’s Day concert meant to honor those who have actually served,” Walker said of Springsteen, referencing his performance of the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic “Fortunate Son” at a The Concert for Valor back in 2014.

The song, written by Army veteran John Fogerty, is a particular favorite of many Vietnam War veterans and service men to this day, as evidenced by the rapturous applause given to Springsteen, and Dave Grohl, who joined country superstar Zack Brown in his performance of the song before service members and their families at the show.

Policy Watch asked Walker for reaction to Robinson’s anti-LGBTQ remarks and for reaction to the substance of some of  the American Renewal Project’s inflammatory remarks on LGBTQ people and non-Christians.

Walker has not yet replied.

Five years ago this week Walker felt compelled to criticize then-presidential candidate Donal Trump for a series of lewd sexual remarks about women captured on tape.

Walker has made no comparable remarks about inflammatory comments about and characterization of LGBTQ people by members of his own party, including Robinson, or the American Renewal Project and its affiliates.