Southern Baptist Leader Reinstated After Praise for Biden's Decision

Brent Leatherwood's brief removal over Biden comments reveals deep political rifts within the Southern Baptist Convention.

Leatherwood called Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race a 'selfless act,' sparking backlash from conservative factions.
The Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission initially announced Leatherwood's firing, then retracted it within 24 hours.
Kevin Smith, the chair of the ERLC's executive committee, resigned after the procedural mishap.
Leatherwood's reinstatement highlights ongoing tensions between mainstream and far-right elements within the denomination.
The controversy underscores the broader political polarization affecting American religious communities.