Dallas Pastor Sparks Outrage with Sermon Mocking Conservative Leader's Assassination, Announces Medical Leave Amid Backlash

Dallas, Texas – September 15, 2025  In a sermon that has ignited fierce controversy across social media and conservative circles, Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, senior pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, drew sharp criticism for remarks appearing to mock the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and question the sincerity of his Christian faith. Just hours after delivering the message during Sunday services, the church announced that Haynes would step away for a "temporary medical leave of absence" to undergo surgery and focus on recovery.

The incident unfolded against the backdrop of national mourning for Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, who was fatally shot on September 10, 2025, while speaking at an event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Authorities have identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as the alleged assassin, with reports suggesting possible ties to leftist extremism. Kirk, a prominent voice for conservative values, faith, and limited government, was killed in front of an audience of thousands, including his wife and young children, prompting widespread condemnation of political violence from leaders across the political spectrum.

Haynes, who serves as the pastor for U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas)—a vocal progressive and civil rights attorney—delivered his sermon titled "Don't Compare Kirk to King!" during the church's morning service. In the address, obtained and shared widely by Breitbart News on X (formerly Twitter), Haynes acknowledged the tragedy of Kirk's death but quickly pivoted to a pointed critique. "He still should be alive. He still should be playing with his kids. He still should be experiencing the love of his wife," Haynes said, according to video clips circulating online. However, he placed air quotes around the phrase "white Christian" when describing Kirk, labeling him a racist and dismissing the killing as a mere "killing" rather than an "assassination."

Haynes contrasted Kirk's death with the assassinations of Black civil rights icons like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, arguing that Kirk's legacy did not warrant similar reverence. "A white Christian gets killed… Not assassinated," he stated emphatically, before listing a series of Black leaders who met violent ends. "Don't compare Kirk to King!" he exclaimed, emphasizing that Kirk's work—often focused on evangelical outreach on college campuses—did not equate to the sacrifices of civil rights martyrs. Critics, including commentators from The Gateway Pundit and PJ Media, decried the remarks as "sickening" and antithetical to Christian teachings of compassion and prayer for one's enemies, especially in the wake of such a high-profile tragedy.

The sermon has been viewed millions of times on platforms like X, where users expressed outrage over what they called a "twisted level of political vitriol." One viral post from Breitbart News highlighted Haynes' finger quotes around "Christian," accusing him of undermining Kirk's faith-based activism. "Making light of an assassination and trashing someone’s faith can only cause Jesus to weep," wrote Gateway Pundit contributor Cullen Linebarger in an article published Monday afternoon.

Friendship-West Baptist Church, a prominent historically Black congregation in Dallas' 30th Congressional District—represented by Crockett—issued a statement later that day confirming Haynes' leave. "While this is a personal challenge, I stand firm in my faith and have complete confidence in God’s healing power," Haynes said in the announcement, as reported by CBS News Texas. The church did not directly address the sermon's content but emphasized that Haynes would use the time for recovery following scheduled surgery. Speculation on social media has swirled about whether the timing of the leave is coincidental or linked to the backlash, though no official confirmation has been provided.

Rep. Crockett, who has attended Friendship-West and credits Haynes as a spiritual mentor, has not publicly commented on the sermon. However, she has been embroiled in her own controversies surrounding Kirk's death. In appearances on "The Breakfast Club" radio show shortly after the assassination, Crockett defended her past comparisons of President Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler, rejecting claims that Democratic rhetoric incited the violence. "I literally have never said anything to invoke violence," she insisted, while shifting blame toward conservatives and even suggesting white supremacy played a role in Kirk's murder. The White House, through spokeswoman Abigail Jackson, condemned Crockett's remarks as "despicable," noting Kirk's close ties to Trump.

Kirk's assassination has deepened divisions in an already polarized political landscape, coming just months after two attempts on Trump's life during the 2024 campaign. Faith leaders from evangelical circles, such as Pastor Chuck Beickel of Faith Baptist Church in Layton, Utah, have mourned Kirk as a "Christlike" figure who shared the gospel fearlessly. "Charlie Kirk’s assassination has affected me deeply. He is a legitimate Christian martyr," wrote one pastor in a blog post for the Center for Baptist Leadership.

As investigations into Robinson's motives continue—with reports of a possible confession in a Discord chat—the nation grapples with the implications of rising political violence. Haynes' sermon and subsequent leave add another layer to the debate, raising questions about the role of clergy in addressing tragedy and the intersection of faith, race, and politics in America.

Friendship-West Baptist Church has not responded to requests for further comment. Updates on Haynes' health and the ongoing fallout will be provided as they become available.

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