Reverend Amos Brown, a prominent figure linked to Vice President Kamala Harris, has come under scrutiny for his past defense of the controversial preacher Reverend Jeremiah Wright, whose sermons sparked backlash during the 2008 presidential campaign.

This scrutiny focuses on how Brown's defense and his preaching style, akin to that of longtime Obama family ally Wright, might impact Harris' perception among the electorate, as Fox News reports.

Early Connections and Defenses

Brown, the pastor of Third Baptist Church in San Francisco, has known Kamala Harris for over two decades.

His past includes defending Wright during the 2008 controversy that embroiled then-presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Brown's support for Wright stemmed from their shared educational background at a graduate ministry school in Dayton, Ohio, and is signified by Wright's photo prominently displayed in Brown's church office.

During a sermon in March 2008, Brown addressed the congregation, asserting that the criticism linking Obama to Wright was a strategic attack on Obama's campaign via religious affiliations. He suggested that this was a crafted conspiracy to tarnish Obama's image, as quoted in a San Francisco Chronicle article from the same year.

Brown's defenses extended to written formats as well; in an April 2008 op-ed, he vehemently countered the media's portrayal of Wright, emphasizing that their preaching style was passionate and truthful, not rooted in anger.

Controversial Sermons and Public Responses

Wright's sermons, including post-9/11 comments and remarks in 2009 blaming Jews for his estrangement from Obama, added fuel to the fire, prompting Obama to distance himself from Wright in May 2008 and eventually resign from his church membership.

Despite these controversies, Brown invited Wright to speak at his church multiple times between 2009 and 2012, coinciding with significant anniversaries of Brown's pastoral leadership.

Rev. Brown's unwavering support for Wright highlighted a discrepancy between the acceptance of controversial statements from white preachers and the criticism faced by black preachers like Wright.

In his 2008 op-ed, Brown argued that if preachers like Billy Graham and Jerry Falwell could sometimes misspeak without severe repercussions, then he and Wright should also be able to advocate for social justice and peace without being demonized.

Harris' Relationship with Brown

Vice President Kamala Harris has often publicized her close relationship with Rev. Brown, acknowledging his significant influence on her life and career.

At the 2022 NAACP National Convention, she praised Brown for his guidance and support from the early stages of her career in public office. She reiterated this sentiment during various public appearances, including a virtual roundtable in 2021 and a social media post in 2023, where she referred to Brown as her pastor and mentor.

The relationship between Harris and Brown has been a cornerstone of her personal and professional development, with Harris turning to Brown for spiritual and ethical guidance throughout her career. This long-standing bond places Brown's past actions and affiliations in the spotlight, potentially influencing public perceptions of Harris.

Media and Political Reactions

In light of the revived interest in Brown's historical defenses of Wright and his ongoing influence on Harris, media outlets like Fox News Digital have reached out to both the Harris campaign and Brown for comments on the matter. The responses to these inquiries could further shape the narrative around Harris' connections and the potential implications for her political trajectory.

In conclusion, the relationship between Vice President Kamala Harris and Rev. Amos Brown, alongside Brown's historical defense of controversial figures like Rev. Jeremiah Wright, poses questions about its impact on Harris' public image.

Brown's steadfast approach to preaching and his defense of his and Wright's styles as truthful and passionate—not angry or inflammatory -- highlights the complex dynamics of political, racial, and religious discourse in America.

As Harris continues to navigate her role in public office, the influence of her spiritual mentor remains a significant and scrutinized aspect of her public persona.