Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., joined CNN\u2019s “The Situation Room” Tuesday to defend President Donald Trump\u2019s controversy surrounding Pope Leo XIV, while arguing that the papacy should remain strictly spiritual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a sharp exchange with CNN anchors Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown, Stefanik addressed the Trump’s recent criticisms of Pope Leo, the first American-born pontiff. Trump has recently targeted the Chicago-born Pope, calling him “weak” on foreign policy regarding the war in Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I don\u2019t want to see the Pope as a politician,” Stefanik said. “The President of the United States is a political figure. Of course, he\u2019s going to be engaged in politics when he\u2019s politically attacked.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stefanik argued that religious authority should be distinct from the political fray, pointing to a spiritual resurgence rather than policy debates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I want to see the Pope continue to focus on the Gospel,” she said. “What I think we can highlight as Catholics… is the increased number of new Catholics entering the church, and that\u2019s a great success for the Catholic Church long-term.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When asked about Trump\u2019s now-deleted AI-generated images that appeared to depict him as a Christ-like figure, Stefanik acknowledged the controversy while shifting focus to policy outcomes. Trump, however, defended the photo, saying he viewed it as “a picture of me being a doctor in fixing \u2014 you had the Red Cross right there, you had, you know, medical people surrounding me.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When asked about the now-deleted AI-generated image shared by President Trump that critics said depicted him as a Jesus-like figure, Stefanik acknowledged the controversy. Trump defended the post earlier this week, claiming the robes and surrounding figures represented him as a “doctor” in a Red Cross setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Certainly, the president made the correct decision in taking it down,” Stefanik said. “I know CNN loves to focus on the tweets and memes of President Trump. I look at his record of results.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The discussion later turned to allegations involving Rep. Eric Swalwell, where Stefanik sharply criticized both the congressman and media coverage of the claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The discussion grew most contentious regarding the sudden resignations of Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., and Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, who both stepped down on Tuesday amid mounting sexual misconduct allegations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Frankly, I believe criminal crimes were committed,” Stefanik said, adding it is “deeply disturbing.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The media should have done more coverage of this,” she continued. “This was sort of whispered about for many, many years.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brown challenged Stefanik on why GOP leadership didn’t act sooner, given the rumors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I think, correctly, he was forced to resign,” Stefanik countered. “But that was only after the public came forward and these brave women and, frankly, staff members came forward. I think that every member, if there are these types of scandalous behaviors, they need to resign immediately, no matter what party they\u2019re in.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stefanik also addressed the scrutiny facing Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., who has faced separate allegations of misconduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“My advice as a member of Congress is these members need to look in the mirror,” Stefanik said. “They know if they have been conducting themselves unfitting for the office, they need to resign.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blitzer pressed Stefanik on whether she was applying a double standard, citing the 2023 civil jury finding that Donald Trump was liable for the sexual abuse of E. Jean Carroll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“There’s absolutely not a double standard,” Stefanik replied. “If anything, the media is not focused on holding Democrats to account.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She concluded by distinguishing between the “lawfare” she claims has been used against Trump and the evidence in the Swalwell case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Look at the text. Look at the videos of Eric Swalwell… That is very different than the lawfare and the politicization that we have seen,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n