ERLC’s Brent Leatherwood criticized for calling Biden’s withdrawal ‘an altruistic act’

Brent Leatherwoodchairman of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), drew criticism for praising President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential election. Leatherwood called it “a selfless act.”

The ERLC is part of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). According to its website, the ERLC exists to help churches “understand the moral demands of the gospel, apply Christian principles to moral and social issues and public policy issues, and to promote religious freedom in cooperation with churches and other Baptist entities southern”.

“Together, we can bring hope to the public square—for the sake of the gospel,” says the ERLC website.

Sunday (July 21), Biden has announced via social media that he was withdrawing from the presidential race, saying, “My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as president for the remainder of my term.”

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Biden endorsed the vice president Kamala Harris for the president.

“My first decision as the party’s nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my vice president. And it was the best decision I made,” he said. “Today I want to offer my full support and backing for Kamala to be our party’s nominee this year. Democrats – it’s time to unite and defeat Trump. Let’s do it.”

After leading the ERLC as interim president following his departure Russell Moore in 2021, Leatherwood was elected permanent leader of the entity in 2022. He was previously ERLC’s chief of staff.

“Not only is it a historic decision, it’s the right decision for our nation,” Leatherwood told Baptist Press. “The role of president takes a heavy toll, and based on what has been evident for some time, it was unrealistic to ask President Biden to endure another four years of incredible burdens placed on the incumbent.”

Leatherwood has been criticized by SBC pastors, influencers and the recently elected president of the SBC Clint Pressley for what he said next.

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“We should all express our appreciation that President Biden has put the needs of the nation above his personal ambition,” Leatherwood said. “Despite what some partisans will say, stepping down is an altruistic act — the kind that has become too rare in our culture.”

Andrew Walker, associate professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS), disagreed with Leatherwood’s sentiment.

“I agree that this was an act of bravery by President Biden,” Walker posted social media. “Had he not acted defiantly after the debate, or had he not made it clear months ago that he would not run (aided by a compliant press that kept his decline from being more public), that would have been respectable.”

“But let’s call a spade a spade,” he added. “Democrats want power, and democracy is an obstacle to that power if it means losing the ability to rule with an iron fist. So a handful of the ultra-powerful just took control of things.” Walker warned that “every current and future holder should fear the precedent set in today’s announcement.”

Pressley, who succeeded Bart Barber as SBC president last June, reposted Walker’s dissent with the comment, “Sounds right.” A number of other Southern Baptists commented on the post, thanking Pressley and agreeing with Walker.

Church leaders reached out to Pressley for comment, but he was traveling and unavailable for comment.

Megan Basham, a reporter for The Daily Wire and an SBC member, said of Leatherwood’s remarks: “This is one of the most dishonest and cynical political statements I’ve ever seen. No one believes Joe Biden quit out of selflessness. It’s almost obscene to say something so discrediting at a time like this.”