The Florida pastor who got hauled in by cops for hosting a megachurch service despite quarantine and stay-at-home orders is doubling down ... insisting he did NOTHING wrong.
The Tampa-area minister is Rodney Howard-Browne, and he took to his own podcast/telecast shortly after being released Monday night to explain why he did what he did -- namely, put hundreds of people's lives at risk by hosting the service.
RHB has a lot to say, but the gist is that he was simply exercising his First Amendment right -- i.e., freedom of religion[1] and separation of church and state. His logic is bizarre. Watch.
Hillsborough Sheriff
There's more though ... Rodney goes IN on the media, sounding very Trump-like by suggesting a lot of outlets are hyping the threat of coronavirus[2] and fear-mongering to get everyone scared and panicked. BTW ... more than 800 people in the U.S. died Tuesday.
One interesting note ... it sounds like Rodney here thinks the charges[3] he was brought in on -- which he incorrectly calls First Amendment violations -- will be resolved shortly.
He says he's willing to do interviews, but only once his lawyers and theirs (the county/state's) have a chat and put this matter to bed. He also talks TMZ a bit. 👀
One last thing ... the guy shows ZERO remorse for his actions, insisting he had no choice. Wrong again, Rod -- but go ahead and tell us why you think that is. We're listening ...
Originally Published -- 12:30 AM PT