--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At the time, the United States had an…" description: "\"“At the time, the United States had an attorney general named John Ashcroft, who had stated that America had “no king but Jesus” (a claim that was exac..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cac/christopher-hitchens-117_attorney-general_at-the-time-the-united-states-had-an-att_2339425.jpg" --- # At the time, the United States had an attorney general… ![“At the time, the United States had an attorney general named John Ashcroft, who had stated that America had “no king but Jesus” (a claim that was exactly two words too long).” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cac/christopher-hitchens-117_attorney-general_at-the-time-the-united-states-had-an-att_2339425.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cac/christopher-hitchens-117_attorney-general_at-the-time-the-united-states-had-an-att_2339425.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cac/christopher-hitchens-117_attorney-general_at-the-time-the-united-states-had-an-att_2339425.jpg) > ““At the time, the United States had an attorney general named John Ashcroft, who had stated that America had “no king but Jesus” (a claim that was exactly two words too long).”” [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote mocks the paradox of invoking divine authority while ignoring its contradictions, highlighting political hypocrisy. **In simple terms:** It points out hypocrisy in using religion for politics. Key Takeaway Question political rhetoric. Themes politics religion hypocrisy Mood skeptical ironic Type satirical critical When to use this quote - Political speeches - media commentary - public debates Key Concepts Moral authority political rhetoric Questions to Reflect On - How does religious language shape political power? - Can moral claims be separated from political agendas? A Different Perspective The statement may oversimplify complex religious-political dynamics. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [God is not great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-is-not-great/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Many religions now come before us with ingratiating smirks and outspread hands, like an unctuous merchant in a bazaar. 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