Podcast Summary: The Tim & April Show Episode 8 – Why Christian Nationalists Betray Democracy and Immigrants
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Tim & April Show
- Host/Author: The New Evangelicals
- Description: Where we unravel faith, politics, and culture.
- Episode: 8. Why Christian Nationalists Betray Democracy and Immigrants
- Release Date: April 18, 2025
Introduction and Organizational Challenges (00:01 – 07:30)
The episode begins with brief advertisements, which are swiftly bypassed to focus on the main content. Hosts Tim and April open by discussing recent internal challenges within their organization, the New Evangelicals. Tim reveals that a board-initiated third-party investigation concerning his interactions with a contractor has concluded, with the full report accessible to listeners via the episode's description. This incident led to a temporary pause in their broadcasting schedule.
Notable Quote:
Tim [02:07]: "We are not hiding anything. But that was one reason why we paused for a bit."
April shares the personal toll of managing the show, emphasizing the mental exhaustion from consistently covering negative news related to Christian nationalism. Both hosts acknowledge the necessity to adjust their format to ensure long-term sustainability.
Notable Quote:
April [05:17]: "I was becoming a little bit of a shell of a person and not. I just wasn't mentally. I was. My mental health was not doing well."
Show Format Adjustment and Personal Reflections (07:30 – 17:00)
To maintain their well-being and continue delivering quality content, Tim and April announce a shift in their show's structure. Moving forward, they will produce pre-recorded deep dive episodes on Christian nationalism every Monday, complementing their live Thursday sessions that address current events and engage with their audience in real time.
Notable Quote:
Tim [07:30]: "We're planning to do deep dives on Mondays and then on Thursdays we're still going to go live, cover what's happening in the news as much as we can."
The hosts also touch upon personal struggles, including Tim's efforts to balance content creation with family time and their youngest child's recent autism diagnosis, underscoring the importance of sustainability in their professional and personal lives.
Case Study: Kilmar Abrego Garcia's Wrongful Deportation (17:00 – 36:31)
A significant portion of the episode delves into the tragic case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a father living in Maryland who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador. Tim meticulously outlines Garcia's background, highlighting his long-term residency in the U.S., lack of criminal history, and the circumstances leading to his deportation based on unfounded allegations of gang affiliation with MS-13.
Notable Quotes:
April [17:51]: "He was deported last month based on a 2019 accusation from local police in Maryland that he was an MS-13 gang member."
Tim [19:09]: "But again, Garcia has no criminal history in the US or in El Salvador and denies being associated with this gang."
The hosts critique the Trump administration's handling of immigration enforcement, pointing out inconsistencies and systemic flaws that lead to such wrongful deportations. They emphasize the Supreme Court's unanimous decision mandating the facilitation of Garcia's return, juxtaposing it with the administration's inaction.
Notable Quote:
Tim [36:32]: "It's like all the work that they're doing is not about due process. It's not about protecting the country. It's about getting rid of certain types of people."
Christian Nationalism and Democratic Betrayal (36:31 – 54:24)
Tim and April explore the concept of Christian nationalism, arguing that it undermines democratic principles and targets immigrants disproportionately. They draw parallels between current U.S. policies and historical fascist movements, emphasizing how scapegoating marginalized groups facilitates authoritarian control.
Notable Quotes:
Tim [38:48]: "This is why we don't see stories of people who are European looking or from European descent being ripped off the streets and deported back to Germany or Finland or Canada."
April [54:24]: "They are dehumanizing empathy for a reason. It's because they have to paint it as something sinful because they know they don't actually have that."
The discussion includes a critique of right-wing media and influential figures who propagate misinformation, contributing to the dehumanization of immigrants and the erosion of democratic norms.
Notable Quote:
Tim [43:30]: "Task force, like, it's not going to stop with immigrants. That's right. They will continue this if going unchecked like this."
Anti-Christian Bias in the Trump Administration (65:55 – 89:34)
Shifting focus, the hosts address the Trump administration's so-called "anti-Christian bias," which they argue is a euphemism for targeting conservative Christians who don't align with specific nationalist agendas. They highlight policies and statements that demonize Christian values when they contradict the administration's objectives, such as opposing vaccine mandates or supporting LGBTQ rights.
Notable Quotes:
April [69:57]: "They are demonizing empathy for a reason."
Tim [70:32]: "It's the same people, too, that are like, he's playing chess while completely destroying our stock market."
The conversation includes an analysis of public figures like Carolyn Levitt and their role in framing narratives that serve to marginalize genuine Christian humanitarian efforts while promoting a narrow, nationalist interpretation of Christianity.
Notable Quote:
April [73:14]: "There is no anti-Christian persecution, because they equate that with accountability when they're being bigots and hateful."
Weird Christian Segment: Dehumanizing Propaganda (81:23 – 91:53)
In a lighter yet critical segment titled "Weird Christian," Tim and April examine a viral video of a woman mixing Christian phrases with corporate support for Tesla. The hosts use this as an example of how Christian nationalism distorts genuine faith to endorse problematic entities, highlighting the superficiality and hypocrisy within certain evangelical circles.
Notable Quotes:
April [84:54]: "They're using Christianity as a shield to hide their bigotry and hate behind."
Tim [86:39]: "It's empathy. Empathy is wrong. Empathy is a sin. It's toxic."
They mockingly dissect the video's content, pointing out the inconsistency between professed Christian values and the promotion of a corporation with questionable practices, underscoring the moral dissonance prevalent in Christian nationalist rhetoric.
Final Thoughts and Call to Action (93:34 – 96:53)
Concluding the episode, Tim and April reiterate their commitment to combating the injustices wrought by Christian nationalism. They encourage listeners to engage in nonviolent activism, educate themselves and others, and advocate for humane immigration policies. The hosts also tease upcoming episodes focused on deeper analyses of Christian nationalism, aiming to continue unraveling its detrimental impact on democracy and immigrant communities.
Notable Quotes:
April [89:34]: "We will continue standing strong and we will never give up on you, Kilmar."
Tim [96:26]: "This is just the beginning of a very long four years. And the only way that we fight back is by working together."
Conclusion
Episode 8 of The Tim & April Show offers a penetrating critique of Christian nationalism and its corrosive effects on democratic values and immigrant rights in the United States. Through the detailed examination of wrongful deportations, policy criticisms, and the portrayal of faith manipulation, Tim and April provide listeners with a compelling narrative urging vigilance and active resistance against these authoritarian tendencies. The inclusion of personal anecdotes and emotional appeals underscores the human cost of political agendas, making the episode both informative and emotionally resonant.
Notable Quotes Compilation:
- Tim [02:07]: "We are not hiding anything. But that was one reason why we paused for a bit."
- April [05:17]: "I was becoming a little bit of a shell of a person and not. I just wasn't mentally. I was. My mental health was not doing well."
- Tim [07:30]: "We're planning to do deep dives on Mondays and then on Thursdays we're still going to go live, cover what's happening in the news as much as we can."
- April [17:51]: "He was deported last month based on a 2019 accusation from local police in Maryland that he was an MS-13 gang member."
- Tim [19:09]: "But again, Garcia has no criminal history in the US or in El Salvador and denies being associated with this gang."
- Tim [36:32]: "It's like all the work that they're doing is not about due process. It's not about protecting the country. It's about getting rid of certain types of people."
- Tim [38:48]: "This is why we don't see stories of people who are European looking or from European descent being ripped off the streets and deported back to Germany or Finland or Canada."
- April [54:24]: "They are dehumanizing empathy for a reason. It's because they have to paint it as something sinful because they know they don't actually have that."
- April [69:57]: "They are demonizing empathy for a reason."
- Tim [70:32]: "It's the same people, too, that are like, he's playing chess while completely destroying our stock market."
- April [84:54]: "They're using Christianity as a shield to hide their bigotry and hate behind."
- Tim [86:39]: "It's empathy. Empathy is wrong. Empathy is a sin. It's toxic."
- April [89:34]: "We will continue standing strong and we will never give up on you, Kilmar."
- Tim [96:26]: "This is just the beginning of a very long four years. And the only way that we fight back is by working together."
Next Episode Teaser: The hosts announce that the following week’s episode will continue their exploration of Christian nationalism, offering a comprehensive overview and historical context to better understand its current manifestations and implications.
Stay Connected: Listeners are encouraged to subscribe, like the episode, and engage with the show’s live sessions every Thursday to stay informed and involved in the ongoing discussions about faith, politics, and culture.