Christianity Today says it saw a spike in subscriptions after it called for Trump’s removal

“We believe the impeachment hearings have made it absolutely clear, in a way the Mueller investigation did not, that President Trump has abused his authority for personal gain and betrayed his constitutional oath,” he wrote in the op-ed. “The impeachment hearings have illuminated the president’s moral deficiencies for all to see.”

The publication, influential among evangelicals, has criticized Trump’s policies in the past but never called for his removal.

“Something flipped” during the impeachment hearings, Galli said during his told MSNBC interview.

‘Legacy’ of magazine to criticize presidents

The editorial drew criticism from readers, who argued Galli was “questioning their spiritual integrity,” he told Sharpton.

But other readers thanked him for the piece, and he noted there was anxiety among some evangelical Christians over whether a publication would address the impeachment hearings.

“We rarely comment on politics unless the situation is grave and serious and might affect the welfare of the American people in some way, whom we’re called as Christians to love as ourselves,” Galli said.

“This is part of our legacy — to speak out on national issues of moral import when the time calls for it,” he said.

Galli told CNN last week he was leaving the publication.

Praise and criticism from Graham’s family, Trump

Even within its ranks, the editorial was polarizing.

Jerushah Duford, Graham’s granddaughter, told CNN the editorial was “courageous.”

Her uncle Franklin Graham, a vocal presidential supporter, said it was “unfathomable” that the publication would release a “totally partisan attack” on Trump.

Trump dismissed the criticism follow its publication, calling Christianity Today a “far left magazine” and drawing a contrast between himself and the Democrats seeking the 2020 presidential nomination.

“No President has done more for the Evangelical community, and it’s not even close,” he said. “You’ll not get anything from those Dems on stage.”

“While the Trump administration may be well regarded in some countries, in many more the perception of wholesale evangelical support for the administration has made toxic the reputation of the Bride of Christ,” he wrote.