I am disappointed and disgusted that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has agreed to sing at Donald Trump’s inauguration. Those events are a celebration of the incoming president, not merely of the country, and the claim that the move promotes national unity overlooks the fact that Trump ran a campaign centered on the degradation of women, vilification of immigrants, and oppression of minorities. This is not an inauguration for either of the Bushes or Reagan, who were messengers of a particular political stance, or even of a Mike Pence, who is even more extreme in politics but lacks many of Trump’s fascist ills. Rather, it is an inauguration for a man who spews racist garbage, brags about abusing women, and boasts about a Muslim registry. This act makes the Church’s appeals for religious liberty, gender equality, and international peace prove hollow.

To my friends who have been the direct targets of Trump’s attacks: even though the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is a missionary arm for the LDS Church, I hope you know that their appearance at Trump’s inauguration does not reflect my values or interests, nor many of my friends and family within the Mormon tradition. On behalf of our Church, we apologize.