Former national security advisor Michael Flynn has come under fire for saying America should establish 'one religion under God'.
Flynn, who resigned from the Trump administration following reports he had lied to the FBI, was speaking at the 'ReAwaken America' conference - a tour critics have dubbed for anti-vaxxers and Trump loyalists, in San Antonio, Texas last weekend.
Addressing the crowd on Saturday he said: "If we are going to have one nation under God, which we must, we have to have one religion. One nation under God and one religion under God."
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution prevents the government from making laws which regulate an establishment of religion, or that prohibit the free exercise of religion.
Flynn's comments have caused widespread outrage amount numerous groups and individuals.
Muslim and Minnesota Democrat Ilhan Omar, accused Flynn and those associated with his views as hating the US constitution while retired army general Mark Hertling referred to him as "an embarrassment to the US army""
The Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Congress have labelled his comments "anti-American" on social media.
One Christian on Twitter argued: "we cannot legislate belief in God. Our Constitution gives us a freedom of religion, God also gives us a freedom to choose to follow him.
"Christian nationalism is a dangerous path…"
Flynn, who pleaded guilty to one criminal charge of Russian election interference during his 22 days within the Trump administration has since been linked to the far right political conspiracy theory QAnon.
Responding to the criticism, Flynn said: "My message is and has always been, when I discuss religious persecution, that our nation was built upon a Judeo-Christian set of values and principles.
"We were founded by people seeking to practice their religion freely and without harm from their government. God is under attack today by the left. In this country, we should be able to worship however we want, to whomever we want, and we should not be persecuted for our faith - a faith that is under attack by the left every single day," Flynn added.
