American gospel music legend and Pastor Donnie McClurkin has faulted Donald Trump’s decision to reopen church buildings, saying the initiative is a “calculated” move by the head of state to win political favor from the faith-based community without regard to their safety.

President Trump announced Friday that he was declaring churches and places of worship as “essential places that provide essential services,” and said that he would “override” governors to allow them to open “right now.”

Donnie McClurkin claims President Trump issued the statement “without meeting specific metrics given by the scientific medical experts.”

However, that is not saying it is safe, but you are at a lower risk – and this risk is magnified if our churches are compacted with people that are eager to get out of the house; eager to get back into the sanctuary,” McClurkin stated.

Donnie McClurkin believes digital live-streams are adequate to serve the Church community during the pandemic lockdown.