Conservative radio host storms off HLN set during argument over religion

Conservative radio host Steve Deace stormed off the set of HLN on Friday after criticizing another panelist’s views on the Republican Party’s approach to religion. 

Deace got into a heated exchange with Sirius radio talk show host Dean Obeidallah during a discussion of what President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee could mean for the U.S.  

Obeidallah said the stakes were high for Trump’s second Supreme Court appointee because the next potential justice — likely a staunch conservative — could reverse key rulings like Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that legalized abortion nationwide. 

“The stakes are really high in this country,” Obeidallah said. “And there are people who want to impose Christian Sharia law in this country. And what I mean by that is that they want the Bible as the law of the land. Mike Huckabee has literally said ‘you can’t change the Bible but you can change the Constitution.'”

Deace appeared to take issue with Obeidallah’s comment, saying that to argue conservatives want to impose “Christian Sharia law” was a “preposterous statement.”

Obeidallah said he was quoting Huckabee and was not accusing Deace of anything. Deace then said Obeidallah’s statements were why he often refused to go on talk shows, adding that people like him get set up to be foils and straw men.

But Obeidallah continued to push back. 

“Christian Sharia law in this context is simply shorthand for turning religious beliefs into the laws of the land,” he said. “I’m not going through the Bible. To me that’s what sharia is in the Muslim world, what sharia is here. I’m not sure why you’d be upset unless you’re advocating it. I’m not suggesting you are.”

The comments prompted Deace to remove his mic and storm off the set.