A senior pastor at Greater Second Missionary Baptist Church of Chattanooga made the case during Sunday’s service for violence and fighting over the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) work to root out and cut wasteful government spending.
The pastor, Reverend Dr. Steve A. Caudle, made the remarks during a Sunday School morning service on February 9.
This tells me that he is trying to hide MASSIVE fraud https://t.co/VMC4LmYnwG
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 10, 2025
Caudle, insisting that “we live in a world that is violent,” first cited the military conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine before turning to DOGE’s work to eliminate federal spending.
“Fact of the matter is, we live in a world that is violent. You don’t believe me all you have to do is turn on the television set this afternoon and you’ll see Gaza where every building has been leveled by bombs and then shooting and killing. Children bleeding out. All you have to do is look at what’s going on in the Ukraine and it’s the same thing,” Caudle said.
“In this nation, I’m worried that we are on the verge of bloodshed. This is an attempt to take us back to a day that we do not want to go and we will not go. Therefore, there will be conflict,” Caudle added.
Caudle then went on to call out billionaire Elon Musk, claiming that the special government employee, through his work in DOGE, is “forcing” his way into the U.S. Treasury and “threatening” to steal Americans’ personal information and Social Security checks.
“No one likes violence, but sometimes violence is necessary. When Elon Musk forces his way into the U.S. Treasury and threatens to steal your personal information and your Social Security check, there is a possibility of violence,” Caudle said.
“Sometimes the devil will act so ugly that you have no other choice but to get violent and fight,” Caudle added.
On Monday, Musk commented on Caudle’s remarks, writing in a post published to X, “This tells me that he is trying to hide MASSIVE fraud.”
Greater Second Missionary Baptist Church’s mission, according to its website, is to “develop a multi-racial community church committed to the social, economic, and spiritual renewal of the Eastdale community through seed sowing evangelism, gospel preaching, workshop education, youth mentorship, charity outreach and justice intervention.”
Prior to joining Greater Second Missionary Baptist Church, Caudle graduated from Lane College, Jackson, TN with a Bachelor of Science degree before taking a job as a loan officer at the American National Bank of Chattanooga.
Caudle went on to receive a Master’s of Theology Degree before working at a Presbyterian church in Texas and received his Doctor of Ministry degree while working at a Baptist church in Florida.
As stated in his biography, Caudle has also worked with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and is a founding member of Polk Ecumenical Action Council for Empowerment (PEACE) – a tax-exempt, congregation-based organization which seeks to “hold systems and those in power accountable for justice.”
Watch Caudle’s full remarks:
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Image “Dr. Steve Claudle” by GSMBC Sunday School.
