CNN’s Cuomo calls out GOP lawmaker for using religious term incorrectly

CNN’s Chris Cuomo called out Rep. Matt Gaetz (R- Fla.) for using the term “Immaculate Conception” without knowing what it meant.

Gaetz said the missing FBI text messages was the biggest “coincidence since the Immaculate Conception.”

During an interview on CNN, he was pressed on what he meant when he used that phrase.

“I was making a point that this is an absurd coincidence,” Gaetz said during an interview on CNN.

{mosads}

Cuomo pressed Gaetz, asking him what he thinks happened with the Immaculate Conception.

Gaetz said the Immaculate Conception “deals with the Christian faith.”

“Where is the analogy, that’s what I don’t understand. What do you think happened with the Immaculate Conception?” Cuomo asked again.

“Look, did you really bring me on to discuss my religious views?” Gaetz asked. “I’m a Christian. I believe that the Immaculate Conception was how Jesus was born.”

Cuomo shot back, saying the Immaculate Conception was not how Jesus was born.

“It was Mary’s conception. It was the mother’s conception without original sin. It was not the conception of Jesus,” Cuomo said.

“Facts matter, congressman. If you’re going to make an analogy, at least know what you’re talking about.”

In religious doctrine, the Immaculate Conception is the conception of the Virgin Mary. It is often confused with the Doctrine of Incarnation, which covers the virgin birth of Jesus Christ.

The interaction comes after Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the Justice Department would investigate missing text messages sent between two FBI agents critical of President Trump, joining the chorus of Republican lawmakers who are eager to recover the messages.

GOP officials have seized on messages between the two FBI officials as evidence of FBI bias in targeting Trump in the probes into Russian election meddling while giving Hillary Clinton a pass in her use of a private email server while secretary of State.