Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback gives a presentation on Thursday March 5, 2015, during a breakfast at the World Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis. Chris Neal \/ Topeka Capital-Journal via AP <\/p>\n
In addition to Trump's tweets stating transgender people will not be able to serve \" <\/p>\n
An Unpopular Governor <\/p>\n
Brownback is the country's second-least popular governor (behind Chris Christie of New Jersey), according to the <\/p>\n
I havent seen any editorial or commentary expressing regret that hes leaving, Burdett Loomis, professor of political science at the University of Kansas, told NBC News. Most people are saying 'good riddance.'\" <\/p>\n
He is going to be known for his extreme and large-scale tax cuts. They failed objectively. And after four and half years, a legislature filled with more moderate Republicans and more Democrats overturned almost all his tax policies, Loomis explained. Hes also gutted the government. A lot of people have quit. He just doesnt believe in government sort of like Trump. <\/p>\n
Of his appointment to the Office of International Religious Freedom, Loomis called it a reward for a failed governorship. To me, this seems like the most consolation of consolation prizes. Most people dont even know this position exists. <\/p>\n
I think its highly symbolic, he added. In the past 15 years, Loomis noted Brownback has become even more religiously conservative. He has moved from conventional to Midwest Protestantism to a sort of Evangelical Christianity to becoming a member of <\/p>\n
He is utterly anti-abortion. Hes never seen an anti-abortion bill he wont sign in a second, and he is a believer in traditional marriage, Loomis said. His religious beliefs definitely affect his policy decisions. <\/p>\n
Brownbacks LGBTQ Track Record <\/p>\n
As a congressman, Brownback actively <\/p>\n
Then in 2016, Brownback signed <\/p>\n
Equality Kansas, a group dedicated to ending LGBTQ discrimination in the state, said Brownback is \"unsuited to represent American values of freedom, liberty, and justice\" and urged Kansas senators, Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran, not to confirm him in the position. <\/p>\n
\"Since his inauguration in January of 2011, LGBT Kansans have faced near-annual assaults on our liberties and our dignity in the name of 'religious freedom,'\" the organization said in a <\/p>\n
Professor Loomis said the idea of Brownback being an ambassador for religious freedom is \"staggering.\" <\/p>\n
As with many of Trumps appointees, hes appointed someone who needs to be fairly open about religion and human rights, but instead its someone who is fairly closed about it,\" Loomis added. <\/p>\n
The State Department did not respond to a request for comment on this story. <\/p>\n
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Trump Taps LGBTQ-Rights Opponent Sam Brownback as Religious Freedom Ambassador - NBCNews.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback gives a presentation on Thursday March 5, 2015, during a breakfast at the World Chess Hall of Fame in St. Continue reading