Robert Jeffress prefers a tough leader, not someone who will turn other cheek

Robert Jeffress speaking at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, DC on October 7, 2011 | Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore

Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, explained that he is endorsing Donald Trump because he wants a tough leader who will defend the nation from ISIS.

"When I'm looking for a leader who's going to fight ISIS and keep this nation secure, I don't want some meek and mild leader or somebody who's going to turn the other cheek. I've said I want the meanest, toughest SOB I can find to protect this nation. And so that's why Trump's tone doesn't bother me," Jeffress said in an interview with NPR last Sunday.

Jeffress, who is a member of Trump's evangelical advisory board, had previously criticized Christians who refuse to support the Republican nominee.

At the beginning of the interview, NPR host Michel Martin mentioned the scandalous video tape where Trump was caught making lewd remarks about women.

When he asked Jeffress to explain his continuing support for Trump despite the obscene comments, the pastor pointed out that evangelicals previously elected Ronald Reagan, who he claimed was a known womanizer. He also noted that Reagan was the first divorced president in U.S. history.

"When evangelicals voted for Reagan, they weren't endorsing womanizing. They weren't endorsing divorce. They were endorsing Reagan's policies," he said.

The pastor asserted that evangelicals continue to support Trump not because of his lifestyle but because of policies related to abortion, religious liberty and the Supreme Court justice nominees. He pointed out that Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton disagrees with evangelicals on those issues.

When Martin asked the pastor if he would acknowledge Clinton as "a sister in Christ" if she wins the election, Jeffress replied, "Absolutely. And I'll go one step further. I'll certainly be praying for her, too."

Several evangelical leaders have withdrawn their support for Trump after the release of the video.

James MacDonald, pastor of Harvest Bible Church and a former member of Trump's evangelical council, described the Republican candidate as "lecherous" and "worthless." Meanwhile, popular theologian Wayne Grudem urged Trump to repent and withdraw from the elections.