NC Congressman Mark Walker Calls On Jerry Falwell Jr to Step Down as Liberty University President After ‘Appalling Behavior’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mark Walker (R-NC) is calling on the president of Liberty University Jerry Falwell Jr to step down after the latter created some controversy with some tacky social media posts and behavior unbecoming of the leader of a Christian school.

Walker happens to be an advisory board member and former instructor at Liberty University, the largest Christian college in the nation. So, when the above photo was posted by Falwell to his Instagram page, Walker was slightly disturbed, along with the rest of us.

Jerry Falwell Jr’s ongoing behavior is appalling.

As a Music Faculty Advisory Board Member and former instructor @LibertyU, I’m convinced Falwell should step down.

None of us are perfect, but students, faculty, alumni and @LUPraise deserve better.

— Rep. Mark Walker (@RepMarkWalker) August 6, 2020

Falwell quickly deleted the post, and in the ensuing firestorm of criticism, offered an explanation.

From the Blaze:

“I’ve apologized to everybody,” Falwell told WLNI-FM, “And I’ve promised my kids I’m going to try to be — I’m going to try to be a good boy from here on out.”

Falwell said that the woman he posed with for the photo is his wife’s assistant, and that the picture was “just in good fun.”

“She’s pregnant so she couldn’t get her — she couldn’t get her pants up,” Falwell explained. “And I was like, trying to like — my — I had on a pair of jeans that I hadn’t worn in a long time so I couldn’t get mine zipped either. And so, I just put my belly out like hers.”

Perhaps it is the case of a bad attempt at a ‘Dad Joke’ gone awry. Still, the file of offenses seems to go beyond this one tacky picture on a yacht for Walker, and other Liberty alum who find Falwell’s recent history unworthy of his leadership position.

As a Liberty alum myself, I have not appreciated many of the words which have come out of his mouth (especially during our current climate). This is ridiculous and absolutely unprofessional. He can’t expect students and faculty to uphold a standard that he himself won’t uphold.

— Dan Walker (@danswalker1) August 6, 2020

As a fellow North Carolinian, @LibertyUAlum, and above all else, a Christian, I could agree more. For the sake of the school and for the sake of Jerry’s soul, it is needed. Thank you for your voice.

— Austin Edwards (@austinmedwards1) August 6, 2020