Skip to content 6/16/2025 Tensions Mount in the Middle East as Israel Seeks a Path Forward in Continued Existence. Jun 16 · 54 min ...more
6/16/2025 Tensions Mount in the Middle East as Israel Seeks a Path Forward in Continued Existence.
June 16, 2025 · 54 min
Tony Perkins and Guests discuss the latest developments in the Middle East as Israel seeks to eliminate Iran’s ability to create nuclear warheads that would be used to wipe Israel from the map.
Series Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Audio
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June 16, 2025 · 54 min · Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Audio
Tony Perkins and Guests discuss the latest developments in the Middle East as Israel seeks to eliminate Iran’s ability to create nuclear warheads that would be used to wipe Israel from the map. ...more Show the full description Show less Tony Perkins and Guests discuss the latest developments in the Middle East as Israel seeks to eliminate Iran’s ability to create nuclear warheads that would be used to wipe Israel from the map.
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In this video 0:00 Israel's Strategic Moves and Global Implications
Israel's Strategic Moves and Global Implications 0:00 From the heart of our nation's capital in Washington, DC, bringing compelling interviews, insightful analysis, taking you beyond the headlines and sound bites into conversations with our nation's leaders and0:12 newsmakers, all from biblical worldview. Washington Watch with Tony Perkins starts now.0:19 So we had to act. It was the twelfth hour. We did act to save ourselves, but also I think to not only protect ourselves, but protect the world from, this, incendiary regime. We can't have the0:31 world's most dangerous regime have the world's most dangerous weapons.0:36 That was Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday on Fox News. Welcome to this Monday, June sixteenth edition of Washington Watch. I'm your host, Tony Perkins. Thanks for tuning in.0:47 We'll get an update from Jerusalem on the expanding conflict between Israel and Iran a little later in the program when we're joined by CBN's Chris Mitchell. And on Friday, Iran's permanent0:59 representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeed Irvani, had this to say about the conflict.1:05 Israel has apparently claimed responsibility, and it is done so with the active support of a permanent member of the council, the United States.1:17 This aggression constitute a declaration of war.1:23 A declaration of war. We'll get reaction and analysis from North Dakota senator Kevin Cramer who joins us momentarily. And the house is out this week back in their districts for district work week,
1:35 but the senate is in session. So we'll check on the status of what president Trump has called that 1 big beautiful bill. We'll check-in with senator Kramer on the status of that. And continuing on the topic
1:47 of Iran.
1:48 The regime has the weapons. They have the what they call the basige. It's their local law enforcement. They are brutal. But, often these regimes fall in a moment just like this 1. And I think what Israel has
1:59 undertaken in these last 24 hours increases the likelihood that the Iranian people will see, sunlight and goodness and not be covered in tyranny as they have been since 19 79.
2:12 That was former secretary of state Mike Pompeo. I'll share more of a conversation I had with him over the weekend about what might lie ahead for Iran. And I'll also share my thoughts on,
2:24 how we should be responding to what is unfolding in the Middle East. All of that and possibly a bit more on this Monday edition of Washington Watch. And by the way, Washington Watch is made possible by
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3:24 Alright. The Israeli military is advancing operation Rising Lion. Earlier today, the IDF struck what is identified as a communication center used for military purposes by the Iranian armed
3:36 forces. Now reports indicate the target was an Iranian state broadcasting station that was live on air at the time of the strike. Not long afterward, Israel
3:47 intercepted another barrage of Iranian missiles. Joining us now with insights on these developments is US senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota. He serves on 4 senate committees, including the Armed Services
3:59 Committee. Senator Cramer, welcome back to Washington Watch. Thanks for joining us.
4:04 My pleasure. Thank you, Tony.
4:06 Well, senator, I know you're a strong supporter of Israel. We've talked about, the situation in the Middle East multiple times. Your reaction to what has unfolded in the last few days?
4:17 Well, first of all, my my reaction to Israel taking this step is, you had to do it. They had to do it. Nobody is, is on the clock quite like Israel when it comes to,
4:29 the acquisition of of nuclear weapons by Iran. So I I don't blame them a bit for doing it. I'm grateful to see president Trump's strong support for it. I'm equally grateful, Tony, to see that we
4:41 haven't, risked any human lives, American lives in, in the effort. That said, Israel has to know that we have their backs. The other thing I that's I think I don't wanna say necessarily surprising,
4:53 but but the magnitude of it is and that Israel has been immensely effective in their, in in their attacks. They had a very specific and have a very specific plan, a very specific strategy.
5:05 They took out the, you know, the ground to air missile system that the air defenses over Iran, and and now they're just flying wherever they want and and have, have complete control of the skies over Iran.
5:17 And it's so impressive that I've gotta believe that there are a lot of frenemies and enemies in the Middle East and throughout the world looking at that and knowing that there those are f sixteens, f 30 fives, f
5:29 fifteens, and and and other great American technology and thinking these guys are better at this than we thought. So I think it's good for peace throughout the world.
5:37 Yeah. I I would agree with you and I would add to that, senator Kramer, that Israel did this and they initiated this on their own. They I know that there was some hesitancy and they had been waiting because I think they
5:48 wanted to do it in concert with the United States. The United States, you know, maybe doing some, well, it's not clear what, if anything, the United States is doing yet. I know we have resources moving that way,
6:00 and as you pointed out, it's it's American equipment. But this was the Israeli defense system. Defense, the the the IDF, their air force, that that did
6:12 this. And this Yeah. The the world has to be taking note of this.
6:16 Well, I I would sure think so. I know I am, and I think the United States is. But certainly, you know, certainly, the region is, Tony, and this is what's so impressive to me. You need to look back to when even Barack
6:26 Obama, even go all the way back to to Jimmy Carter when the, you know, the back and forth between, you know, peace through strength policies of Republicans and acquiescence and and and just sort of
6:38 throwing up your hands, if you will, by Democrats going back to Jimmy Carter. We finally have a moment, I believe, when you've seen, diplomacy work under president Trump's first term
6:50 sets the stage rather with with 4 years off, but then sets the stage for what's happening now. And I just think that the freedom loving, you know, civilized Arab world is looking at this going,
7:01 yep. We wanna be with these guys over here, not those guys over there. And they isolating, you know, Iran this way, I think, has tremendous benefit for peace in the region.
7:13 So did the Israeli military intelligence suggest that the window of opportunity was closing and and that's why they had to move
7:23 now? I think that's really clear that, you know, when you had, of course, the 60 day negotiating period that Donald Trump had initiated and that ran out, when you had the, you know, the International Atomic Energy, you
7:34 know, commission council saying, wait a minute. These guys are out of compliance. And that this is the United Nations saying this as you know. And, and then their intel, you know, saying that they have as much
7:46 as maybe 9 bombs worth of of enriched uranium. They clearly couldn't wait any longer for their own good. While others were more patient, including the United States, Israel understandably had to take matters into their
7:58 own hands and demonstrated that they're more than capable of doing that.
8:02 What would you say is victory coming out of this? What does that look like?
8:06 Yeah. So that's a really important question, Tony. I I just don't think you can leave the regime in place at this point. At this point, you've poked the bear so hard that if you leave the bear there, you're
8:18 you're probably always gonna have to look over your shoulder. The other thing is I think they have to take out for it all. I think I just think whether it's them or whether it's the United States and God knows the last
8:27 thing the American people want is for us to engage in another war. But but I don't I think you have to remove all capabilities, use of of nuclear weapons capabilities. And and, the only way to do
8:39 that is to is to take it all out literally physically with, with bombs. Now if in the short term here, the Iranian leadership says we give up, we'll step down, and then and then
8:51 we encourage and and back the freedom loving Iranian people, that'd be that'd be great. I just don't see that happening.
8:59 I I agree with you. I don't see that happening either. President Trump saying that, a deal is possible, you know, maybe a deal to dismantle what's left of their nuclear system, but that would leave the regime in place
9:11 just to fight another day.
9:13 Yeah. And that that really concerns me. I mean, the the given the history of, of that regime and and just I I just think that would be discouraging to the Iranian people, most of whom the vast majority of whom are very
9:25 pleased with what they're seeking right now and hopeful. And, you know, we've led them to this point not quite like this, but but other times when they thought the United States had their back. I think of Barack Obama
9:35 who basically left the freedom loving demonstrators of Iran, just holding the bag. And and I I just think, at this point, you can't leave the regime there.
9:46 1 final question on this before we move to, issues taking place in in the senate. I I know you agree with this that, peace through strength and given
9:58 what Israel has demonstrated in the last few days, of course, we're not there to the final the final aspects of this yet. But I would think that this could bring peace in the Middle East by the sheer
10:10 show of their strength.
10:11 There's no question it's a deterrent. I mean, everybody in the region's gotta be thinking, oh my goodness. Let's not go up against these guys. The other thing that it does, it paves the way for the for the civilized Arab
10:22 world to continue to come toward the values of the West. I don't expect that there's gonna be, you know, evangelism is gonna, you know, take Christian evangelism in the Arab world. However, I do think there are a lot of
10:34 people in the region that are that are grateful to see, Iran being being isolated like this and I think their courage to join us and to join the Arab the the, Abraham Accords
10:46 and and and other more normalized relationships is really good for for the country and for the world and and and certainly for that region. Yeah.
10:55 And for for the Iranian people. I mean, we're praying for the success of Israel and for the freedom of the Iranian people that have been under the repression of this regime. Senator, I wanna switch
11:06 to, the reconciliation bill, president Trump's 1 big beautiful bill. That's now over in the senate. The deadline that was set was the July fourth break. Mhmm. Are are are we gonna make it? How's
11:18 it looking?
11:19 Yeah. I think it's possible, Tony. And, of course, I'm eternally optimistic. But as you know, this week now, the entire first, you know, the first draft, if you will, of the bill, the entire text is pretty well done.
11:30 And, the Democrats are looking at it. The parliamentarians are going through it. They're looking for those, you know, birdable things that they're scrubbing it through the bird bath to make sure that it's not policy,
11:42 but solely, you know, revenue and spending. As you know that we have these wonky rules in the senate. So we're going through that right now. I think the probably the most encouraging thing is that Republican senators
11:53 have been meeting together for hours every day, apart from everybody else and including tonight, by the way. We have a vote here in a few minutes and then we're gonna have dinner together as as Republican senators for a
12:05 couple of hours and go through the text and listen to particularly the tax piece of it, Tony. That's really the heart of this whole thing. In fact, if it was up to me, we would have done just the tax piece now a long
12:15 time ago and it'd be law right now while we discuss other things, but that's not the route that was chosen. So, yeah, we're we're rolling up our sleeves and working the long hours to to fine tune it. We have to get
12:27 something that 50 people will vote for as you know. That's the trickiest part. But, I think if speaker Johnson could get 1 more than than a no, out of, out of as many as 430 some,
12:40 we ought to be able to do that as senators by the fourth of July.
12:43 Yeah. Senator Kramer, you mentioned the the speaker. He's been very clear about warning about too many tweaks could create problems when it comes back over to the house. Do you foresee any sticking points
12:55 at this time?
12:56 Yeah. It's a great question. I think we're gonna find more, frankly, more spending cuts. I know that won't break your heart. And I I we have a rescissions package in front of us now that the house passed by 1 vote as
13:05 well that I'm sure it really breaks your heart that we're gonna maybe, defund the NPR and public broadcasting. But having said that, you know, we we're gonna make it better. It's it it plain and simple. We're gonna make
13:17 the tax cuts permanent. The salt thing is probably 1 of the stickier things. But, Tony, at the end of the day, this bill is gonna be so this bill is gonna be good enough that where if you voted for it in the house
13:28 before, there's no reason for you not to vote for it this next time because then you're given a binary choice. Is it better to pass it or not? And at that point, I think that I think that the house will pass it as well.
13:40 Well, now is the time. If not now, when? When do we, when do we right this ship of state? Senator Kramer, always great to see you. Thanks so much for joining us. Appreciate your leadership on Capitol Hill.
13:51 Thank you, Tony. My pleasure. And I appreciate your witness and and your ministry there.
13:56 Thank you very much. Alright, folks. Coming up next, former secretary of state Mike Pompeo.
14:01 Hi, everyone. This is pastor Jay Johnston, national prayer director with the Family Research Council. I wanna invite you to join our 21 day family bible challenge as we read through
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17:02 Welcome back to Washington Watts. Thanks so much for joining us. Well, the morning after Israel launched operation rising lion, former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo joined me for
17:13 my weekend program this week on Capitol Hill. And I wanna share a part of that interview in which we discussed what history shows us about the risk of regime changes, although that's
17:26 certainly something people would like to see in terms of Iran and the future is a change of this Islamic regime. We need to do so with our eyes wide open. How do we prepare for
17:37 that? Well, here is that conversation. So let's talk about what a regime change looks like because from history would tell us, you know, a vacuum is filled by something, and we've, been a
17:49 part of seeing regime changes before only to end up with a situation that's even worse.
17:57 Tony, there's definitely that risk. I think you started your segment in exactly the right place with prayer. We should pray that the Iranian people are able to overthrow this regime in a way that
18:09 delivers them a good outcome, that it doesn't just end up in the hands of the IRGC thugs or it doesn't end up in the hands of, someone who's even worse. The Iranian people have a long history. This is a amazing
18:20 nation with deep Persian culture and a talented engineers and a school system that is quite capable. The these these are people who have the capacity to build out a society where people can worship
18:32 in the way they want and with leadership that gives space and freedom for commerce and wealth creation and all the things that we want for them. We we need to do all that we can to assist the Iranian
18:44 people in achieving that objective. We we know that this vacuum will get filled. We ought to do everything we can to work to make sure it's filled, by those who no longer wanna threaten the destruction of the nation of
18:54 Israel.
18:55 You were very clear about this messaging when you were secretary of state that our beef is not with the Iranian people. It is with the the regime that is repressive.
19:07 How volatile is the, the the the the structure of Iran when it comes to the to to the people? What would it take to see
19:19 a regime change? Are are we at that threshold level right now given what Israel is doing?
19:27 Tony, history would teach us that 1 of the things we can never predict is when regimes like this will fall. I was a young soldier in Germany in 19 89, and 1 day everybody woke up and, the Soviet Union had begun its
19:38 collapse. So you don't know when that moment will be. I must say, if you're a a parent of a young girl in Iran and you see what happened overnight and you see that the trillions of dollars in sanctions
19:50 against the regime, the billions of dollars spent on weapon systems delivered literally nothing for you and indeed even worse continued to oppress you, you must be thinking, can I find friends and partners? Can I find,
20:02 other citizens in my town, in my community, whether you're in Ashfahan or Kermanshah or wherever you may be, and find a path forward that is fundamentally different? The the challenge is is that the regime has the
20:12 weapons. They have the what they call the basige. It's their local law enforcement. They are brutal. But, often these regimes fall in a moment just like this 1. And I think what Israel has undertaken in these last
20:24 24 hours increases the likelihood that the Iranian people will see, sunlight and goodness and not be covered in tyranny as they have been since 19 79.
20:34 To facilitate this, what should be the next steps that the United States takes?
20:39 Oh, really 3 things. 1, we've gotta make sure we keep our folks safe. So the first step is to make sure we've got postured correctly. I think president Trump has done really good work these last days, putting, the weapon
20:50 systems in the theater so that we can do just that. A second, I I've heard some leaders in the United States senate Democrats say that this attack was reckless. That's a mistake. What would have been
21:02 reckless is to allow Iran to continue down the path towards a nuclear weapon, and now, that's not gonna happen. And so the second piece of this is we should continue to support our ally Israel and make sure that we
21:13 provide at least the task and support necessary so that they can do, what's needed there inside of Iran for the days and weeks ahead. The political pressure to stop Israel, will start today at the
21:25 UN and continue in the days ahead for sure. And then finally, we should make very clear, that when the moment is right, we will support the Iranian people in their effort. We will provide the tools and resources
21:37 necessary so that a Iranian regime that has fallen is followed by a set of leaders inside of Iran that the Iranian people actually desire and want. And that'll be a really good outcome if we can assist in all
21:49 3 of those ways.
21:50 You mentioned the United Nations, long time critic of of Israel. It seems to be they exist just to harass Israel almost. But timing is everything in an
22:02 operation like this. And and just watching the the body language of, the prime minister and others and seeing the shuttling back and forth, I knew the window they saw, as you made reference to earlier, was
22:14 closing. But this week, the IAEA, for the first time in 20 years, finding and and actually issuing a resolution that Iran was noncompliant,
22:27 in their nuclear program, their their nonproliferation obligations. This should somewhat, I would think, muffled international community because this is I mean, this is certainly the
22:39 International Atomic Energy Agency is not a puppet of, of Israel. So I would think that this might help, when we talk about that window of opportunity.
22:49 It probably does help, Tony, but make no mistake about it. But the the UN has become, anti Israel, indeed, anti Semitic over the last decade in ways that just simply was not before.
23:01 Israel hopefully loses just about every vote at the UN General Assembly and, of course, on the UN Security Council, 2 of Iran's partners. The Chinese Communist Party and Russia sit to veto anything that the United States
23:12 might want to do at the Security Council level. So I agree. The, the the wording from the sanctions from the IAEA was important. They are a neutral inspection body, that does really good
23:24 verification work, and they came to see that Iran was not complying with its obligations under, international law. That is helpful. I doubt it changes many minds at the United Nations, Tony, and it saddens me to say
23:36 that, but I suspect it's true.
23:38 Final question for you, mister secretary. I know we're focused on Iran. We're focused on Israel. Oftentimes, though, when you get, you know, tunnel vision onto 1 area of the world, something else might happen. Where else
23:49 should we be watching right now?
23:53 We've had in the last week's conflict in Pakistan and India. Still very unsettled in other parts of the Middle East as well. Don't we shouldn't forget what's happening in Gaza today. Trying to get humanitarian assistance
24:04 in there has proven incredibly difficult. And then, I'll bet president Zelensky was watching last night as well. Both both he and the Israelis were able to smuggle drones inside another sovereign nation and
24:16 launch them with deep attacks, in a clandestine way. The Russians and the Chinese are partners of Iran. Iran is clearly the loser here, and so I'm guessing that Xi Jinping is rethinking how deep
24:28 a partnership to have with Iran. That is another good feature of what the Israelis have accomplished.
24:33 Mike Pompeo, it's always great to, to talk with you, my friend. I I I greatly appreciate, your contribution to our country, and, thank you for continuing to serve and, provide insight and understanding.
24:45 Thank you, Tony Blysh. You have a great day.
24:47 That was part of my conversation with former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo on my weekend program this week on Capitol Hill. Alright. Stick with us. We'll be back with more Washington Watch after this break.
25:03 The Center for Biblical Worldviews all day work shops delves into the formation of a world view, what it is, how it's formed, when it's formed, what that means to them personally and their
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27:05 Welcome back to Washington Watch. Thanks for tuning in. I've been asked repeatedly how should we interpret and respond to the unfolding events in Middle East, particularly in light of some high profile voices within
27:17 so called conservatism encouraging president Trump to adopt a more isolationist stance. Let me say this. It is in America's vital interest to stand with Israel, especially now as the
27:29 Middle East undergoes a tectonic shift, which may alter the geopolitical landscape for generations to come. As a marine veteran, I'm not a hawk. I don't believe America should
27:40 be the world's policeman, nor do I support endless foreign wars. But retreating into isolation is not a strategy. It's a gamble with consequences we cannot afford. A
27:52 global leadership vacuum will not remain unfilled. It will be occupied by regimes hostile to freedom and democracy. To see that space is not only naive, it
28:04 is dangerously shortsighted. Now I'm thankful that Israel did not wait on America before acting on their military intelligence that the window of opportunity to
28:16 eliminate the existential threat poised by Iran's nuclear program was closing, and so they acted. Tehran's ambitions have never been hidden. For decades, the leaders
28:28 of the Islamic Republic have vowed to eradicate the Jewish state. In December 2000, Iran's supreme leader called Israel, quote, a cancerous tumor that should be removed.
28:40 In August 20 12, then president Ahmadinejad declared, quote, any freedom lover and justice seeker in the world must do its best for the annihilation of the Zionist regime,
28:52 end quote. Now that's not rhetoric to be ignored. You know, Jesus said in Matthew 15 18, those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart. You know,
29:04 we would do well to take that admonition seriously. And his history teaches this lesson lesson. The world dismissed Adolf Hitler's speeches as the ravings of a madman.
29:16 The result, a global war that killed an estimated 70 to 85000000 people. America didn't enter that war until it was attacked at Pearl Harbor, yet our delay came at great cost. The Jewish people in
29:28 particular have learned that when an ideologically driven regime threatens to destroy them, they cannot afford to wait. They must act or risk annihilation. I was
29:40 present in the US ham house chamber both in 2015 and 2024 when Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed joint sessions of Congress. In both speeches, he
29:52 warned not only of Iran's threat to Israel, but of of its broader threat to the United States and the entire free world. And he was right. Last week, Israel acted reportedly with a
30:03 tacit nod from Washington to prevent Iran from reaching nuclear capability. The final outcome is yet to be seen, but I am confident in Israel's ultimate success, not because
30:15 of American weaponry or military aid, but because of Israel's increasing reliance on god. That is a far more dependable ally
30:27 than any modern nation. Now let's be clear. America needs Israel more than Israel needs America. By standing with Israel, we unlock the blessings of god. As god promised
30:39 Abraham in Genesis 12 3, I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you. And in you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed. The prophet Joel says nations will be held to account by how
30:51 they treat Israel. For behold, in those days and at that time, I will gather all the nations, and I will enter into judgment with them there on the account of my people, my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among
31:03 the nations. They have also divided up my land. This is not just about ancient empires. This is a prophetic declaration that includes all modern nations, including the United States.
31:15 That brings me back to why the isolationist sentiment gathering traction in some corners of the Republican party is both misguided and dangerous. You know, when my children were young, 1 of them once asked me
31:27 to buy something. I told them we didn't have the money for it. And without hesitation, they responded, well, just drive to the bank and get some money out of that machine. Well, that moment became a teaching opportunity.
31:37 Withdrawals require deposits. For decades, America has drawn on a global account filled by our leadership, our values, and, yes, our engagement, and we've benefited immensely. Because
31:49 of our strategic alliances and proactive leadership, the wars that we have fought have largely been overseas, sparing our own soil from the devastation experienced by many other nations. Our
32:01 global posture has protected not just our interests but our homeland. Leadership carries obligations, not to fight every war, but to shape the world in ways that protect freedom,
32:13 promote stability for everyone, and ultimately benefit American citizens. This is not charity. It's strategic stewardship. Now some argue that global engagement is too expensive,
32:24 but the truth is this. America's privileged position in the world economy that has given us such a great standard of living is because we're in part the issue of the world's primary reserve currency,
32:37 and it's enabled us to borrow and spend on a scale unmatched in history. Yet our ballooning national debt is not the result of foreign aid or military partnerships. Foreign aid represents less than 1
32:49 percent of our federal spending. In contrast, roughly 70 to 75 percent of our budget is consumed by domestic spending with about 65 percent categorized as mandatory. Social Security,
33:01 Medicare, Medicaid, and the interest on the debt. These are the primary drivers of our fiscal crisis, not our standing with allies. Now let me be unequivocal. For those who say we cannot afford to support Israel, I
33:13 say we cannot afford not to. If we abandon our support for Israel, we will soon discover that the account of god's blessing on America is overdrawn. We have long benefited from the
33:25 undeserved favor of god. This is more than geopolitical. It is about biblical truth. We are in a moment that demands moral clarity, not political convenience. Israel's cause is
33:37 just. Their restraint has been remarkable. Their enemies are emboldened. Their future is not guaranteed except by god. As Americans, we should not only recognize that truth, we should align ourselves with
33:49 it. If we wanna secure our future economically, politically, and spiritually, we must stand with the nation that god himself has called the apple of his eye.
34:03 Family Research Council is committed to advancing faith, family, and freedom from the East Coast to the west. So FRC is going to Southern California for this year's pray vote, stand summit,
34:14 October seventeenth and eighteenth at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills. Join us for this powerful gathering of Christians desiring cultural renewal and spiritual revival. The pray, vote, stand summit brings
34:26 together Christian leaders, issue experts, and government officials for a time of prayer, inspiration, and action. Together, we will seek God's guidance for our nation and engage in meaningful discussions on theShow more
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Tony Perkins94K followers
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