Clyburn asks town hall crowd to pray the US 'will not allow itself to go the way of Germany in the 1930s'

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CNN Politics

Published 10:52 PM EDT, Thu April 17, 2025


CNN — At a town hall in South Carolina, veteran congressman Jim Clyburn emphasized that Democrats are limited in what they can do in the minority in Congress, urging attendees to speak out and vote to help tip the scales and the balance of power.

The friendly crowd peppered long-serving Democratic lawmaker with questions about taxes, Social Security, tariffs and the Constitution – with concerns about how the Trump administration is handling all of those issues and more.

“It’s obvious the Trump administration has no use for the Constitution whatsoever,” one attendee said, asking Clyburn about the Trump administration’s immigration efforts and suggesting he feared US-born citizens could be next. “What can Congress do to put a stop to this nonsense coming out of the White House?”

Clyburn gave a lengthy response, including reading out the 14th Amendment and emphasizing the importance of hosting congressional town halls and speaking to voters across the country. The congressman then asked the crowd to pray that the US “will not allow itself to go the way of Germany in the 1930s.” “All we can do is share with you what we’re doing and ask for your prayers that this country will not allow itself to go the way of Germany in the 1930s when people stood by,” he said.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/17/politics/clyburn-town-hall-1930s-germany/index.html

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The congressman then asked the crowd to pray that the US “will not allow itself to go the way of Germany in the 1930s.” “All we can do is share with you what we’re doing and ask for your prayers that this country will not allow itself to go the way of Germany in the 1930s when people stood by,”

Wake up Clyburn, WE ARE ALREADY THERE.

We are living through HOW 1930s Germany happened and people like you are one of the ones who "stood by" while it happened.

I am seriously thinking that sadly, there are many of our elected officials who are so traumatized by what has just occurred in the past 3 months, that they have been reduced to walking zombies, trying to navigate through a morass as if it doesn't exist, and totally unable to actually think or function.

[Irish_Dem]

1. I agree, I don't know what has happened to our elected leaders.

It is a mystery why they are in such denial.
Certainly they know even more about all the bad stuff Trump is doing.

[doc03]

2. I think we already have gone the way of 1930s Germany nt

[Martin68]

4. Then you don't know the history of the Third Reich. That's Trumps' goal, but he is nowhere near completion at this

point. If the Supreme Court and the military get solidly behind him, then he has succeeded. At this point, we are still a democracy. One proof of that is that DU is still active.

[doc03]

5. I have little faith in the SCOTUS and even less in the military since he has purged those

that don't agree with him.

[Martin68]

6. Yes, but until and unless they fold, we are still a democracy. I've visited countries under a totalitarian regime.

I know the difference. You have given up, and the Fat Lady is still waiting in the wings. I know it's discouraging, but I felt similar pangs under Nixon, Reagan and W.

[elocs]

12. When under Nixon, Reagan, or W was it ever remotely like this? n/t

[Martin68]

17. Yes. We never knew it wasn't until they obeyed court orders. If Trump doesn't obey court orders, that will be a test of

our democracy and our country. Until then, we don't know how far this will go.

[wnylib]

16. Nixon, Reagan, and W were nowhere near as bad as Trump.

[Martin68]

18. We didn't know at the time until they folded when faced with court orders. if Trump defies the courts, that will be

our supreme test as a country.

[elocs]

11. We were not vigilant and became complacent. We thought we were too great of a nation

to fall to fascism. That only happens to lesser nations until it doesn't like now.

[Martin68]

3. We're all praying with you, Representative Clyburn. Even those of us who don't normally pray.

[elocs]

13. But what if this is the will of God and part of God's plan?

Maybe we are being punished for the sin of National pride, believing we were too great and righteous of a nation to fall to fascism because that only happens to countries not as good as we are. As a result we were not vigilant in watching out for America becoming complacent with the belief that nothing bad like this could ever happen here.

[Ford_Prefect]

7. Unfortunately thoughts and prayers have had no helpful effect thus far, despite the fervent desires of believers.

I am afraid that the time for hopeful prayer is past. January 20, 2025 was too late for prayers. November 5th, 2024 was too late. July 13, 2024 was too late.

He should have been arrested as he stepped off the plane in Miami January 20th, 2020, if not shortly thereafter.

Worrying about US becoming 1930's Germany is too late. We're already there.

ICE Just Paid Palantir Tens of Millions for 'Complete Target Analysis of Known Populations'
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143441857

U.S.-born American citizen under ICE hold in Florida after driving from Georgia
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143442686

The Tipping Point - The Lincoln Project : In this week's Elephant in the Room, Rick Wilson details the constitutional tipping point we find ourselves in as a democratic republic. If Trump and his administration continue to defy court orders, what can be done about this, and who else could they soon target? - 04/18/2025.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/132270177

[elocs]

14. Yes, it's too late. We were not vigilant and took our freedoms for granted that they would always be here.

Now that has changed. We suffered as a nation during the Great Depression, but we suffered together as a nation helping on another.
In WWII we lost troops, but our homeland was unscathed unlike most of Europe and Asia whose populations suffered. Now we will learn what that it is like, up-close and personal.
We won't be so proud anymore. Yes, if only we had been vigilant.

[SamKnause]

8. Prayers, really ???

If praying is your answer to solving the trump cult problem we have already lost.

Praying solves nothing.

[UpInArms]

9. Cool ... let's just pray away the Nazis

[Intractable]

10. For some, prayer is the beginning of action. For others, it is the end.

Prayer often says, "This is out of my hands. God is responsible."

>> ask for your prayers that this country will not allow itself to go the way of Germany in the 1930s when people stood by

These words say, "This is out of my hands. God is responsible."

I don't accept that.

Clyburn is one of the old guard I'd like to see have a happy retirement -- sooner rather than later.

[JI7]

15. Yes, it's also cultural for many older black Americans

They led the civil rights movements so obviously they aren't saying just to pray and do nothing else.

[electric_blue68]

19. To add to your reply from Google

Last edited Mon Apr 21, 2025, 02:48 AM - Edit history (1)

(i remember reading about some of this back in the mid '60's)

" It provided a space for organizing, leadership, and spiritual guidance for activists and community members. Black churches served as gathering places for meetings, rallies, and marches, and church leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. became prominent voices in the movement. They also offered emotional and spiritual support to those fighting for equality."

[Ursus Rex]

20. We need to try something else, prayers aren't working.

Not saying we have to stop praying, but counting on it alone is giving up.

[Skittles]

21. prayer is utterly useless

I wish they would keep that sanctimonious nonsense out of politics.