US politician on accusations against UOC: Attacking the Church is unacceptable

South Carolina House Representative Thomas Beach. Photo: screenshot from One America News channel video

On November 20, 2025, South Carolina State Representative Thomas Beach criticized the accusations made against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, calling any attacks on Christians unacceptable. He made these comments on the American television channel One America News while responding to posts by Congressman Joe Wilson, who accused the UOC of ties to the Russian state and of being involved in an “intelligence operation.”

During the interview, Beach said he was deeply concerned about what is happening in Ukraine, where, according to him, incidents of pressure on Christians are being reported. “I hate to see Christians persecuted anywhere,” the politician stressed, stating that such practices contradict the foundations of freedom of religion.

He added that, as an elected representative, he is duty-bound to protect the religious rights of the people in his state. “There will be no persecution of Christians in South Carolina – under any circumstances – not while I’m in charge,” Beach said. According to him, any encroachment on the religious freedoms of Christians “is an encroachment on every one of us.”

The politician made his statement in response to a tweet by Congressman Wilson, who characterized the UOC as an entity close to the Russian state. Beach emphasized that such accusations do not justify attacks on believers or interference in the internal life of the Church.

In his view, protecting Christian communities, including the UOC, is an essential part of safeguarding religious freedom, which holds a central place in the American system of values.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the head of the New York Young Republicans accused the congressman of attacking the UOC.

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