Assemblies of God Minister and 2028 Congressional Candidate Rob Canfield Responds to President Trump Post, Calls Out Silence from Rep. Chris Smith

Republican congressional candidate and Assemblies of God minister Rob Canfield, who is preparing a 2028 primary challenge in New Jersey’s 4th District, issued the following statement in response to a social media post shared by President Donald J. Trump depicting religious imagery that many believers find deeply inappropriate.

“As an Assemblies of God minister, I cannot stay silent when sacred imagery central to the Christian faith is used in a way that blurs the line between the Gospel of Jesus Christ and any political figure,” said Canfield. “The imagery of Christ—of healing, of salvation, of divine authority—is not something that belongs to a campaign, a party, or a personality. Faith is not a prop. It is not a brand. And it is not something to be reshaped or repurposed for political gain.”

Canfield emphasized that his position comes from deeply held conviction and respect for both faith and public service.

“I respect the office of the President of the United States, and I remain committed to the conservative values that millions of Americans—myself included—fight for every day: protecting our Second Amendment rights, defending families and parental authority, and restoring fairness to an economy that’s crushing working people through debt and rising costs,” he said. “Those values matter. But so does integrity.”

“But I am withdrawing my personal support of Donald Trump as an individual candidate. This is not about party loyalty—it is about principle, and where we draw the line as people of faith and as Americans.”

Canfield also addressed the lack of response from longtime incumbent Congressman Chris Smith, drawing a broader contrast on leadership.

“What’s just as concerning is the silence from career politicians like Chris Smith,” Canfield added. “When something clearly crosses a line for people of faith, leadership means speaking up—even when it’s uncomfortable or politically inconvenient. After decades in Washington, you would expect clarity and conviction. Instead, we get silence.”

“That silence is exactly why so many people feel disconnected from their representatives. Whether it’s defending constitutional rights like the Second Amendment, or standing up for everyday families being crushed by high interest rates, student loan debt, and rising costs, too many politicians choose caution over courage.”

Canfield tied the moment directly to his decision to run and the direction of his campaign.

“As I prepare for a 2028 run for Congress, I’m making it clear that my campaign will be grounded in principle—not personality, not political pressure, and not party machines. We need leaders who will stand up consistently, not just when it’s easy.”

“To those who have endorsed President Trump, I would encourage you to take a step back and reconsider what that endorsement represents. Our movement is bigger than any one person. It should be grounded in truth, humility, respect for our Constitution, and respect for our faith.”

Canfield concluded by outlining the issues he believes should define the race moving forward.

“Here in Monmouth and Ocean counties, families are being squeezed from every direction—property taxes, insurance, student loan payments, and sky-high interest rates,” he said. “We need to crush the college-debt racket by ending interest on federal student loans and holding schools accountable for costs. We need to rein in credit card companies that are charging working families outrageous interest and junk fees. And we need to protect the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens, not treat them like suspects.”

“That’s the fight ahead—and that’s the leadership I intend to bring in 2028.”

For more information, visit www.rob4nj.org or contact info@rob4nj.org.