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Pastor denounces Trump remarks while Vice President Pence sits in pews

Posted at 6:32 AM, Jan 16, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-16 06:32:54-05

With Vice President Mike Pence sitting in the pews, a Maryland pastor denounced a vulgar description of African nations that President Donald Trump is said to have used.

Maurice Watson, pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church in Largo, delivered the sermon Sunday while Pence was visiting.

Watson called Trump's remarks, in which he reportedly used an obscenity to describe African nations and Haiti during an immigration discussion with Congressional leaders, "dehumanizing" and "ugly."

The pastor said "whoever made such a statement" is wrong and should be held accountable.

Watson said he felt "led by God to do it" and noted many of his congregants come from African nations.

Worshippers stood and applauded as Watson spoke.

WUSA-TV reports Pence became red-faced at times during the sermon, though Pence's office denied that in an email Monday to The Associated Press.