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Fox News Senior Correspondent Chad Pergram reports on the 13-day FISA extension. Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va., discusses the measure and Virginia’s controversial redistricting vote on ‘The Fox Report.’
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Opponents of Virginia’s ballot recount referendum received help from the top on Tuesday after the late Reverend Jerry Falwell’s son spoke of “biblical principles” opposing the controversial process.
Falwell, chancellor of Liberty University in Lynchburg and pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church (founded by his father), has been a prominent religious activist for decades.
In the words of Virginia Del. Wendell Walker, R-Lynchburg, Falwell told the congregation that while he has never and never will advise anyone on what to vote for or against, Tuesday’s vote should not be ignored.
“Tuesday is election day here in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It shouldn’t be, but it is. And we have an election coming up. There is no voting body. There are no candidates for any office. It’s just a decision made by some people in Richmond to undermine the normal way and the right way to do things,” said Falwell.
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Falwell explained how the redistricting campaigners crafted the language of the vote to say that a “yes” vote would “restore justice” and that their meaning was to change the makeup of Virginia’s congress from 6-5 to 10 “leaning liberals.” [side] and the other leans conservative [side].”
“I don’t think Restore Fairness is what they’re trying to do. I think what they’re trying to do is take over completely.”
Falwell emphasized that he only encouraged the congregations to “vote your values” and explained what the Bible’s values translate into politics.
“Today, I will do the exact same thing, but it is a little different because today I know that if you hold to the principles of the Bible, if you believe in the sanctity of life, if you believe in the right to have this idea that there is time for a man and a woman. If you clearly believe in all the freedoms and values and principles that this nation was founded on, there is not only one way to vote on Tuesday and there is no way to vote.”
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Pastor Jonathan Falwell comforts his sister Jeannie and brother Jerry Jr. after the death of his father Pastor Jerry Falwell in 2007. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
He noted that he expects backlash for talking about the topic, adding that he expects angry letters and emails.
“I don’t care,” Falwell said. “We will not allow the Commonwealth of Virginia to be taken over by a simple group of people who just happen to believe their way is the only way.”
“If you really believe that voting is important, if you really believe that our values are important, if you really believe that we have the right to have our voices heard, then let your voice be heard and vote.”
Walker later praised Falwell for speaking out, calling his decision “a courageous stand.”
“Leadership like this is important – speak up and make your voice heard. Vote NO,” Walker said.
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At least one responder to another repost of Falwell’s, however, was not included.
A woman votes at a polling place in Burke, Fairfax County, Virginia, in 2026. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg)
“If pastors like Jonathan Falwell want to start telling people how to vote from the pulpit, big churches like Thomas Road Baptist Church should start paying taxes,” said the critic.
Falwell succeeded his father, the Rev. Jerry Falwell, as Thomas Road’s senior pastor in 2007, and became chancellor of Liberty University in 2023.
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Falwell Sr. he was the leader of the conservative “Moral Majority” during the Reagan era.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Falwell and Thomas Road for further comment.
