Culture, Faith and Politics with Pat Kahnke

What if the government lied about a 5-year-old boy just to justify a deportation? In this episode, I break down the disturbing truth behind Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota — a Trump immigration crackdown propped up by misinformation, racial scapegoating, and failed political promises.

The resistance of Minnesotans and the rest of the country has begun to push back the Trump Administration's ICE operations in Minnesota, but the fight is still ongoing. Pat goes live to discuss the situation.

Gregory Bovino, a high-profile DHS official tied to brutal immigration enforcement and the recent killing of Alex Pretti, has just been removed from the Twin Cities by the Trump administration. While he's being replaced by longtime ICE figure Tom Homan, this development shows one important thing: public protest, grassroots organizing, and truth-telling still work.

Federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti in broad daylight in Minneapolis. Bystanders captured it all on video. And yet, in the face of clear, public evidence, the U.S. government immediately began lying — again.   This episode is not a full breakdown of the lies. That proof is everywhere already. This is a moral reckoning. Because this is happening in my city — to people I love — and it's part of a much darker pattern. A year of state violence. A year of slander. A year of lies.   What happens when a government kills its own citizens… and then lies to cover it up? What happens when truth no longer matters — only power? This is the moment we've been warning about. And we have to decide who we are.

In this urgent conversation, Pat Kahnke and international Christian leader Tihomir Kukolja confront the dangerous rise of court prophets—religious leaders who align themselves with political power rather than the truth of the gospel. Franklin Graham is the focus of this episode, not as an isolated figure, but as a powerful example of how faith can be co-opted to serve authoritarian politics.

Minnesota is still under siege from federal agents, but two separate protest incidents this weekend have Pat's attention. On this live episode, we'll be discussing the incident inside the Cities Church in St. Paul and the truth behind conservative influencer Jake Lang's protest.

In this episode, I respond to the recent protest inside Cities Church, just blocks from my home. With decades of experience in the evangelical world and years spent speaking out against Christian nationalism and injustice, I offer a raw, pastoral perspective on the tension between righteous anger and sacred space.

Pat Kahnke and Adam Swenson expose the sick propaganda campaign fueling ICE's growing presence in Minneapolis and St. Paul. From armored vehicles on local streets to disturbing federal tweets about “peace after 100 million deportations,” we unpack how messaging is being weaponized to justify fear, division, and unchecked power.

Why do so many white evangelicals still support Donald Trump—even after all the lies, cruelty, and corruption? It's not because they've been fooled. It's because they've chosen the lie. In this episode, we hear from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German pastor and theologian who resisted Hitler and wrote powerfully about the moral danger of what he called folly—a willful, self-protecting ignorance that chooses comfort over truth, and power over integrity. Other call it his Theory of Stupidity.

In this urgent conversation, Pat Kahnke and Adam Swenson break down the alarming ICE surge in Minneapolis and St. Paul — including firsthand accounts of aggression, propaganda, and the recent ICE shooting of Renee Good, a U.S. citizen. With Gregory Bovino leading a camera crew through our neighborhoods, the message is clear: if we don't film them, they'll control the story.

The Department of Homeland Security continues to send its ICE agents into the streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul following the murder of Renee Good. Pat and Producer Ken Napzok discusses what the impact has been on the community and how the resistance is going.

What does the Bible really say about protest, injustice, and state violence? In this raw, prophetic conversation, Pat Kahnke (St. Paul) and Amy Hawk (Portland) respond to the ICE shooting of Renee Good through the lens of Habakkuk, Amos, and the whole biblical witness. Why are so many Christians silent? What do the prophets say about corrupt governments and false worship? And how do followers of Jesus cry out — not just in prayer, but in public?

Renee Good was killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Days later, white evangelical churches in the Twin Cities sang louder—but said nothing. As a former evangelical pastor, I can't stay silent. This video confronts the deadly silence of the American church, the idolatry of the MAGA movement, and the moral collapse of Christians defending Donald Trump at any cost. If you're wondering where Jesus is in all this—so am I.

Today I'm responding to the newly leaked video showing the moment ICE agents confronted and fatally shot Renee Good in South Minneapolis. You've probably seen the video — and if you haven't, you've heard about it. But I want to talk about what really matters: What we hear in the footage, what we see that contradicts the official narrative, and what your reaction says about where we are as a country — morally, spiritually, and humanly.

The federal government is lying about what happened when an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis. In this episode, I break down what really happened—using video evidence analyzed by the New York Times. I'll walk you through the key details the government isn't telling you. I'll show how the official narrative falls apart when you actually look at the facts.

NOTE: When I recorded this, I didn't know the identity of the victim. We now know her name is Renee Good. Please join me in praying for her and her loved ones.   A woman was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Video evidence clearly contradicts the official narrative being pushed by Kristi Noem and the Trump administration — and as a Christian and a citizen, I can't stay silent. Join me in telling the truth — and demanding justice.

What do the anniversary of Jan 6th and the Trump administration's actions in Venezuela have in common? Why is it a good thing that Tim Walz will not seek re-election? Pat discusses all that and more on this edition of Culture, Faith, and Politics Live!

What if there's one simple theory that explains every decision Donald Trump makes? In this epsidoe, I break down the pattern I've seen in Trump's behavior for over a decade—one that not only explains his most outrageous and contradictory actions, but actually predicts them. From pardoning convicted drug lords to dismantling global aid programs, and from gutting institutions to throwing parties for billionaires while millions starve—this isn't chaos. It's strategy.

In this second year-end reflection, I get blunt about a lesson that's taken years to fully grasp — but in 2025, it became undeniable: the white evangelical movement in America is utterly depraved. Not just theologically. Morally. Culturally. Publicly. From Donald Trump's ongoing abuses to the disgraceful “revival” at Charlie Kirk's funeral, 2025 made it crystal clear: this movement is no longer about Christ — it's about power, whiteness, and control. And it's dragging the name of Jesus through the mud.

After ten days offline over the holidays, I'm back — and in this first episode of a short, year-end series, I'm getting personal. I didn't plan to disappear. But somewhere between writing another essay on Donald Trump and realizing I didn't want to ruin Christmas thinking about him, I made a decision — to step back and protect my joy. In this reflection, I share why that pause mattered, what it taught me, and how it connects to the long-term work so many of us are doing at the intersection of faith, politics, and democracy.

Six years ago, I made my first YouTube video warning about Donald Trump's dangerous impact—not just on our nation, but on the souls of those who support him. This week's primetime speech confirmed what many of us have long seen: Trump is unraveling, and his movement is more toxic than ever.   In this episode, I break down the central truth his followers still refuse to face—and why truth itself is on the line for Christians in America. I share my pastoral concern, rooted in Scripture, about what happens when the people of God embrace lies in the name of Jesus.

Pat offers a response and some encouragement after a really difficult weekend around the world.

The news was heavy last week with the Brown University shooting, the Bondi Beach terror attack, and the deaths of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner. Pat Kahnke and Producer Ken Napzok are here to take a look at the news and remember influential actor, director, and political activist Rob Reiner. From YouTube Live 12/16/2025.

The New York Times just dropped a bombshell story: the Trump family's disturbing relationship with Andrew and Tristan Tate—two of the most proudly abusive, misogynistic figures online. This episode breaks down what the article reveals, why it matters for Christians and conservatives, and why ignoring it only deepens the moral decay in American politics. 

In this honest and theologically grounded conversation, Pat Kahnke and global Christian leader Tihomir Kukolja unpack the biblical warning in Romans 2:24 — “God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” Together, they confront the deep harm being done to the Christian witness by Donald Trump and the current Christian nationalist movement in America.

My recent YouTube video titled A Minnesota Pastor Responds to Trump's Cruelty Toward Somalis was not well-received by a lot of "Christians." Now I'm here to answer them directly on this edition of Culture, Faith, and Politics Live!

Last week, I made a YouTube video defending Somali immigrants in my city — and I didn't expect the flood of hate from people who call themselves Christians. Today, I'm responding to one of the tamer comments I received — not because it was innocent, but because it shows just how deep the rot goes in MAGA Christianity. If you've ever been attacked by so-called believers for standing up for immigrants, refugees, or marginalized people — this is for you.

In this powerful conversation, Tia Levings shares the harrowing true story behind her memoir A Well-Trained Wife—how she was groomed in a fundamentalist evangelical church, survived church-sanctioned domestic abuse, and made a midnight escape from a violent marriage. Joined by Amy Hawk and Pat Kahnke, Tia describes how Bill Gothard's teachings, Doug Wilson's Christian patriarchy movement, and the toxic promises of evangelical purity culture shaped her life. From megachurch culture to cult-like control, she unpacks the spiritual manipulation that left her without a sense of self—and the long journey of reclaiming her voice. If you've experienced religious trauma, domestic violence, or the disillusionment of high-control Christianity, this interview offers both a mirror and a lifeline.

This week, President Trump made some of the most openly abusive, racist, and dehumanizing comments yet — aimed directly at the Somali community in St. Paul and Minneapolis. He's also deploying federal agents to intimidate them. As a pastor who spent 20 years in the Twin Cities — and as a neighbor — I'm speaking up.

In this raw and powerful conversation, author and survivor Tia Levings joins Pat Kahnke and Amy Hawk to expose the hidden cruelty behind Pete Hegseth's rise in Christian nationalist circles — and the broader religious movement that enabled him. Drawing from her memoir A Well-Trained Wife and her upcoming book I Belong to Me, Tia shares what it's like to grow up under church-sanctioned patriarchy, escape at midnight with her children, and heal from years of religious trauma.

YouTube Tuesday night LIVE, Episode 3, from December 2nd, 2025

As Donald Trump's influence begins to wane, his administration continues to commit staggering abuses—none more horrifying than what Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is accused of: ordering the extrajudicial killing of two defenseless men off the coast of Venezuela. This episode is a GUT CHECK for America—especially for Christians who still support Trump.

Last Monday, I posted a video on YouTube about Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation that sparked a big conversation—some of it supportive, some a little worried I was being “taken in” by her.   Let me be crystal clear: I strongly disagree with almost everything MTG stands for. In this follow-up clip from our Tuesday night Culture, Faith & Politics Live Stream, Ken Napzok and I unpack why her break with Trump is so dangerous—precisely because she's still MAGA to the core.   This isn't about celebrating Greene. It's about understanding her influence. Her message will reach people I can't. And when she says, “There is no plan” and calls Trump out, it pulls the mask off for people still deep in the cult.

Culture, Faith, and Politics LIVE episode 2: Trump's weird and terrible week. (11/11/25)

On Friday night, Marjorie Taylor Greene announced her resignation from Congress. But what stood out most? It wasn't that she resigned — it was how she did it. Here, I break down the two most important slogans she publicly rejected: “Where we go one, we go all” and “Trust the plan.” These aren't just slogans — they're core beliefs for QAnon followers and many MAGA Republicans. But MTG's statement marks a turning point. She calls out the “cult-like” devotion to Trump, describes herself as a “battered wife,” and — most shockingly — admits she was fooled.

In this episode, Pat Kahnke is joined by Amy Hawk for a frank, faith‑grounded analysis of the way Donald Trump speaks to and about women — and what Christians should do about it. We discuss Trump's "Quiet, piggy" outburst - the most recent example of Trump's abrasive behavior toward female reporters and how it fits a pattern of abuse. Amy shares her lived experience ministering to abused women, connects the signs of misogyny to a “Genesis 3 spirit,” and asks the hard question: is this just a bug of the movement, or a feature? Finally, we outline a Christian response: calling out abusive power, refusing to idolize bullies, and living out the protectiveness Jesus shows toward women.

Today, Donald Trump called for the arrest – and possible execution – of sitting members of Congress, accusing them of "sedition." Why? Because they released a video reminding U.S. troops of their duty to disobey illegal orders. That's not sedition. That's basic constitutional fidelity.

Donald Trump just gave Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman a pass on the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi — again. In this episode, we break down Trump's shocking comments, his financial ties to Saudi Arabia, and what this means for America's moral compass. Is the U.S. becoming more like the authoritarian regimes we used to challenge? And why are so many Christians still defending this?

The FIRST of our regular Tuesday night LIVE STREAMS! Consider this a practice session! We'll meet our producer Ken Napzok and discuss the direction for this new live program. We'll discuss several stories related to signs of disruption in the MAGA Universe. - The Epstein Vote in Congress today - What's going on with Marjorie Taylor Greene? - Trump's treatment of Thomas Massie And finally we'll have a general talk about CULTURE - the silent member of the Culture, Faith, and Politics triumvirate.

What really happened to migrants held at CECOT prison in El Salvador? This epsiode dives deep into a devastating new Human Rights Watch report exposing the brutal treatment of detainees—many of whom were never convicted of a crime. Even more disturbing: these abuses were made possible by policies supported by U.S. Christians who backed Donald Trump.

What made millions of German Christians pledge loyalty to Hitler? And are American Christians walking the same path with Trump today? In this powerful conversation, Pat Kahnke and Christian leader Tihomir Kukolja explore the chilling parallels between Nazi-era Germany and today's Christian nationalism in the U.S. Drawing from historical research, theology, and lived experience.

Pope Leo XIV recently made headlines for challenging the moral inconsistency of Christians who claim to be pro-life while supporting the cruel treatment of migrants. As a former Catholic and longtime evangelical pastor, I found his words striking — and convicting.   I unpack what Leo said, especially about the Trump administration's treatment of migrants in Chicago detention centers, and I reflect on the consistent ethic of human life I learned in Catholic school — an ethic that still shapes my worldview today.   We'll also look at how Gaudium et Spes (Vatican II) calls out not just abortion, but every form of dehumanization — from torture and deportation to poverty and racism.

In this episode I wrestle with one of the most common questions I hear: “What should we do now?” We reflect on: David French's practical, wise answer to that question (via Russell Moore's podcast), my own struggle with giving application instead of just description, the reality that justice work is long-term, slow, and deeply human, why grace, humor, and conviction still matter in dark times, and how each of us can choose to live out our deepest values, even when “winning” feels out of reach.

I reflect on one of the most foundational scriptures shaping my call to speak out — as a Christian and former pastor — against Donald Trump and the MAGA movement.

After a week away, I return to reflect on what may be remembered as the most revealing week of Donald Trump's second term — a week where he pardoned allies, mocked peaceful protesters with AI war porn, escalated military violence without congressional approval, and demolished the East Wing of the White House to build a gilded ballroom. In this episode, I argue that Trump has fully embraced his most dangerous instincts — no longer pretending to serve the nation, but ruling with the boldness of a king gone mad. From authoritarian theater to reality distortion, we're witnessing the unraveling in real time. This is the week Trump chose his legacy. And the rest of us must now choose ours. (October 25, 2025)

In this urgent breakdown, I play key excerpts from Stephen Miller's speech at the Charlie Kirk memorial and explain why it may be the most dangerous political speech since the 2024 election. (October 14, 2025)

Every time I speak out about Donald Trump, someone asks: “Well, who SHOULD Christians have voted for?” This is my comprehensive answer. As a former Republican and evangelical pastor, I've been raising the alarm for years about the spiritual cost of aligning the church with Trump's MAGA movement. Today, I walk through five possible voting choices Christians had in 2024 — and why Never Trump isn't just a slogan, it's a moral imperative.

In this episode, we dig into a chilling speech from right-wing influencer Benny Johnson at the recent Charlie Kirk rally—a moment that reveals just how deeply Christian nationalism can distort Scripture to serve political power. (October 8, 2025)

In this urgent and candid conversation, Pat Kahnke and author Amy Hawk confront the explosive new emails linking Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein — and the deafening silence from many in the American church. With receipts in hand, they ask: How long will Christians keep covering for Trump? When is it enough?

In this episode, we take a hard look at a recent memorial rally clip featuring Rob McCoy — a prominent evangelical pastor and mentor to Turning Point USA's Charlie Kirk. What begins as a “basic gospel message” quickly becomes something else: a masterclass in religious manipulation, where Jesus is reduced to a mascot for right-wing politics. (October 6, 2025)

It's my 60th birthday, and I'm taking a break from the headlines—sort of. Today's video is about something more basic… and a little more obnoxious. I'm breaking down the toxic absurdity of MAGA theology, why you can trust your gut when it smells like garbage, and why “debating” Christian nationalism on its own terms is often a waste of spiritual energy.