Donald Trump's Former Spiritual Advisor Indicted for Child Sex Crimes
Published Mar 13, 2025
By Sophie Clark
A Dallas-area pastor known for his involvement in GOP politics and his close
relationship with President Donald Trump has been indicted in Oklahoma on
child sex charges which stretch back four decades.
Robert Morris was the lead pastor of the Gateway megachurch until last year
when he resigned due to sexual abuse allegations.
The 63-year-old served on Trump's Evangelical Advisory Board in 2016,
hosted the President's 2020 "Roundtable on Transition to Greatness" a
fundraising dinner which cost $580,600 per couple, and worked to organize
Evangelicals in 2021 ahead of Trump's 2024 Presidential bid.
He is now indicted in Oklahoma for allegedly committing repeated indecent
acts to a child in Oklahoma in the 1980s.
Why It Matters
Morris is the 6th megachurch pastor from Texas to resign from their post since
2024 due to sexual assault claims and other misconduct allegations.
Donald Trump has recently come under scrutiny from Republicans after
accused human trafficker Andrew Tate was able to return to the US and for
failing to release files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
What To Know
Morris' indictment comes after Cindy Clemishire came forward with her claims
against him as an adult.
Alleged victims of sexual assault are not usually named by media, but she told
the Associated Press she would like her name to be included in her story. She is
referred to as C.C. in the indictment.
Clemishire has alleged that when Morris was working in 1982 as a travelling
preacher he would stay at her family's house in Hominy, Oklahoma. She says
this is when he began abusing her, which he continued to do over five years.
She was 12 when the alleged abuse began.
When Clemishire brought charges against Morris last year Morris' attorney at
the time, J. Shelby Sharpe, blamed Clemishire for her actions.
In a letter written to Clemishire's lawyer, Sharpe wrote: "It was your client who
initiated inappropriate behavior by coming into my client's bedroom and getting
in bed with him, which my client should not have allowed to happen."
Sharpe was temporarily suspended from practicing law in 2024 for unrelated
"acts unbecoming of an attorney."
No attorney has been listed as working for Morris at this time. J. Shelby Sharpe
has been contacted via email for comment.
Morris was indicted by a Multi-county Grand Jury of Oklahoma on March 12,
and is not subject to Oklahoma's statute of limitations as he was not an
Oklahoma resident at the time.
Donald Trump megachurch
Pastor Robert Morris, left, listens to President Donald Trump speaks about
"Transition to Greatness: Restoring, Rebuilding, and Renewing," at Gateway
Church Dallas, Thursday, June 11, 2020, in Dallas. ALEX BRANDON/AP PHOTO
Republican politics were a present part of his church where he would host
sermons promoting GOP candidates, saying: "Many of you see what Satan has
been trying to do even in our school systems" before displaying the names of
Republican school board candidates.
He said: "At Gateway Church, we vote, we pray, and we vote now."
He was also chosen by Governor Greg Abbott to promote the Texas 'bathroom
bill' which would ban transgender people from using the bathroom that fits
their gender. Morris said one of the reasons to support the bill was to prevent
children from being sexually abused.
What People Are Saying
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond: "There can be no tolerance
for those who sexually prey on children. This case is all the more despicable
because the alleged perpetrator was a pastor who exploited his position. The
victim in this case has waited far too many years for justice to be done."
Cindy Clemishire in a statement: "After almost 43 years, the law has finally
caught up with Robert Morris for the horrific crimes he committed against me
as a child. Now, it is time for the legal system to hold him accountable."
What Happens Next
Morris faces five counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child. He is presumed
innocent until proven guilty. He will face a court trial at an undetermined date.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual violence, you can
contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673, or contact the
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) helpline via their website
rainn.org.
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