TEXAS, UNITED STATES — Texas pastor Joel Webbon is facing criticism after publishing social media comments calling for the execution of Mike Huckabee, the United States ambassador to Israel. The statements, posted on October 10, 2026, and subsequently deleted, sparked a public dispute over violent political rhetoric, antisemitism, and the responsibilities of individuals serving in Christian leadership.
Webbon, who leads Covenant Bible Church in Georgetown, Texas, made the remarks during an online discussion about the Pentagon's plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, the former U.S. Army major convicted of killing 13 people and wounding dozens of others during the 2009 Fort Hood shooting.
According to Religion News Service, Webbon shared a social media post featuring photographs of both Hasan and Huckabee, suggesting that the two men should face execution. The post was later removed, but screenshots circulated online. Webbon subsequently published additional statements accusing Huckabee of treason and arguing that the ambassador should be executed if convicted of that offense.
Huckabee, a former governor of Arkansas and Baptist pastor, has long been an outspoken supporter of Israel and the Jewish people. His appointment as U.S. ambassador to Israel placed him in a prominent diplomatic position during a period of significant tensions surrounding American foreign policy and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The ambassador responded publicly to Webbon's comments after conservative author Everett Piper called for federal authorities to investigate the statements. Huckabee expressed support for Piper's call, characterizing Webbon's remarks as a call for his assassination.
Piper, a former president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University, told Religion News Service that he considered the statements dangerous and inappropriate. He argued that suggesting the execution of a serving American ambassador could encourage violence and warranted examination by federal investigators. Piper also criticized the use of such language by someone identifying as a Christian pastor.
Webbon has developed an online following through his ministry and political commentary. He also operates NXR Studios, associated with the New Christian Right movement. His public statements about Jewish people and Israel have previously drawn accusations of antisemitism from critics. The latest controversy has renewed attention to the influence of religious figures whose political commentary reaches large online audiences.
The dispute also comes amid a broader national discussion about the use of capital punishment and the Pentagon's proposed public broadcast of Hasan's execution. Religious leaders from different Christian traditions have expressed conflicting views about the death penalty, while others have specifically criticized the idea of turning an execution into a televised event.
As of the October 12 report, no criminal charges against Webbon related to these statements had been confirmed. Neither Webbon nor the U.S. State Department immediately responded to Religion News Service's requests for comment. Although critics characterized the remarks as threatening, whether they constitute a criminal offense would require an assessment by the appropriate authorities.
For the Whole Bible Community, the controversy raises important questions about the responsibility believers carry when speaking publicly, particularly during disagreements involving politics, religion, and Israel. Proverbs 18:21 teaches that death and life are in the power of the tongue, emphasizing the significance of words and their potential consequences.
Scripture also calls believers to exercise wisdom, restraint, and justice. Disagreements over political decisions, religious interpretations, or international conflicts should not become excuses for encouraging violence. The incident serves as a reminder that Christian leadership carries a responsibility to communicate truthfully, reject antisemitism, and demonstrate respect for human life.
As public debate continues, the controversy highlights the need to distinguish legitimate political criticism from rhetoric that encourages hostility toward individuals or communities. It also underscores the importance of responsible speech among religious leaders whose words may influence thousands of followers.
References:
religionnews/2026/10/12/theobro-pastor-joel-webbon-calls-for-mike-huckabees-execution/
baptistnews/article/theobro-pastor-joel-webbon-calls-for-public-execution-of-mike-huckabee/
