Church buildings in San Antonio became targets of vandalism this past weekend as “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump spread across major U.S. cities. Two congregations — Community Bible Church and Church Unlimited Stone Oak — were defaced with anti-Trump graffiti that pastors say reveals a deeper spiritual battle.
Community Bible Church Pastor Ed Newton shared images of the damage on Facebook, showing spray-painted messages including “Jesus wants Trump gone” and “No king but God.” Newton said the hateful graffiti was not only damaging to property but also a direct attack on the Christian faith.
“To spew evil, spray paint this on our church, in a form of hate, causes me to question the very belief system of [those] who participate, condone, and not condemn this kind of hate language and ideology,” Newton wrote.
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Yet even in his frustration, the pastor turned the attention back to the Gospel. “The truth is, what Jesus wants is for all people to repent and live for Him, surrendered from a lifestyle of hate, sin and evil. Jesus came to save sinners, change sinners, to sons and daughters — that includes us all, me and you, including every president before us, amongst us and after us.” He concluded his post with a reminder: “Jesus is King.”
At Church Unlimited Stone Oak, founding Pastor Bil Cornelius expressed similar grief after vandals scrawled “Jesus wants Trump gone” on the church’s sidewalk. He clarified that while protests are protected, destruction of property crosses a clear line.
“Vandalism is not protesting,” Cornelius said. “It is a crime.”
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Cornelius went on to cite Romans 13:1, reminding his congregation that Scripture calls Christians to pray for and honor all leaders, regardless of political preference. “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God,” the verse reads. Cornelius emphasized that his church has and will continue to pray for every U.S. president.
The impact of the protests was not limited to church properties. San Antonio Councilwoman Misty Spears confirmed that other parts of the city were also defaced with anti-Trump graffiti over the weekend. She condemned the acts in a public statement.
“This is not peaceful protest or activism,” Spears said. “It’s vandalism, and it will not be tolerated. District 9 and every neighborhood in San Antonio deserves to feel safe and respected. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and share updates as they become available.”
The incidents highlight a growing trend of political protests spilling over into sacred spaces, raising questions about respect for houses of worship and the role of faith in public debate. For the pastors impacted, however, the message remains the same: Christians must respond to hatred with truth, prayer, and grace.
“Even when people deface our buildings, we remember that the Church is not a building,” Newton said. “It’s God’s people — and Jesus is still King.”
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