MSNBC host Joe Scarborough sparked controversy Thursday on Morning Joe by accusing Republicans of ignoring biblical teachings on immigration. In a segment focused on recent comments by Pope Francis and American Catholic leaders, Scarborough claimed the GOP has disregarded Jesus’ commands in the New Testament regarding treatment of foreigners and the poor.
Scarborough referenced recent statements by the Pope urging Catholics to welcome migrants, citing the parable of the Good Samaritan in the Gospel of Luke. He emphasized that the Catholic Church has called for compassion and dignity toward foreigners, framing the issue as a moral test for believers.
“The Pope says we will be judged by how we welcome foreigners,” Scarborough said. “You have archbishops in Chicago, Washington, and elsewhere preaching the same message.”
He went further, tying Christian identity to immigration policy, saying, “If you have a problem with that, don’t even take it up with the Pope. Take it up with Jesus.” Scarborough questioned whether those who support strict immigration enforcement can credibly call themselves pro-life, echoing the Pope’s past comments.
The MSNBC host concluded by charging that Republicans have “turned a blind eye to everything that Jesus said in the New Testament about welcoming foreigners, being kind to the least among us.”
Scarborough’s comments drew immediate pushback from Christian conservatives who argue that Scripture also teaches the importance of law, order, and national sovereignty. Many point to passages in both the Old and New Testaments that emphasize respecting laws, borders, and the responsibilities of government to protect its citizens.
Republican lawmakers and faith leaders continue to support policies that prioritize border security and the rule of law, viewing these not as anti-Christian, but as necessary to uphold justice and protect national integrity.
