Colorado Republican Representative Lauren Boebert is facing heavy criticism after expressing the hope Democratic President Joe Biden's "days be few" at the Spiritual and Leadership Training (SALT) conference at Storehouse Church in Dallas, Texas.
The comments also raised further alarms over the spread of Christian nationalism and Christofascism within the Republican Party.
Boebert said she was quoting Psalm 109:8 from the Bible, which reads, "Let his days be few, and let another take his office. Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow."
The Psalm in question is often interpreted as a prayer for the premature death of an enemy and has traditionally been called the "Judas Psalm" for an interpretation relating the verse to Judas Iscariot's punishment as noted in the New Testament.
The verse has often been used by fundamentalist preachers to "curse" anyone who could doubt there is a place for wrongdoers who patently reject the will of God.
You can hear what Boebert said in the video below.
Boebert said:
"God said that he was the provider. I know that Jesus said we would be blessed, I just don't know about this month. And Jesus is right there at the table with you!"
"What kind of conversation is this? Why are you talking like this and why are you sad?"
"Jesus, don't you know we're out of money? COVID's hit, they shut everything down, Joe Biden's President, we don't know what to do Lord."
Amid cheers and laughter, Boebert added:
"That's all right, we pray for our Presidents—let his days be few and another take his office. That's why I filed articles of impeachment for Joe Biden. Unfortunately, he does have a really great insurance policy named [Vice President] Kamala Harris."
Boebert's comments sparked immediate backlash as many accused her of calling for Biden's death.
This is the second time Boebert referenced the same Psalm in relation to Biden.
Last year, a congregation at the Family Camp Meeting at Charis Christian Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado cheered Boebert on as she quoted it and laughed.
Boebert's use of the Psalm prompted many to point out it had been used by Republicans to target former Democratic President Barack Obama as well.
In 2016, former Georgia Republican Senator David Perdue applied the Psalm to Obama though he insisted he meant no harm. The Psalm became known as the "Obama prayer" after circulating for years in conservative circles.
