Fox News meteorologist Janice Dean became one of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D) staunchest critics after her in-laws both died in elder-care facilities during the COVID-19 crisis.
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Dean has fiercely castigated Cuomo and his response to the pandemic, pondering why he enacted various policies surrounding nursing homes and pledging to hold him to account.
“When it comes to tough questions about his leadership during this time, Cuomo has shown he isn’t so tough after all,” Dean wrote in a 2020 USA Today op-ed. “In fact, he prefers to place blame on anyone but himself for the disastrous decisions he’s made.”
Dean, who has not backed down from her mission, was recently given some heartfelt advice from legendary TV host Kathie Lee Gifford.
“Pray that [Cuomo] comes to know Yeshua,” Gifford said on a recent episode of “The Janice Dean Podcast.” “Pray that he becomes a good practicing Catholic like you are, goes back to his church, and you know, believes in something bigger than himself, believes in real justice, real righteousness.”
And the former “Today” show host wasn’t done there.
“If Jesus can forgive on the cross, you can forgive right now,” Gifford added. “All you have to do is say, ‘Thank you, Jesus … You have forgiven me for everything I have ever done. Lord, I choose to forgive him.'”
Listen to the powerful conversation:
Gifford told Dean she doesn’t want her carrying around the hurt and pain any longer.
While righteous anger is understandable and is even seen in Scripture, she said she wants Dean to find freedom. Gifford said refusing to forgive carries consequences for the person clinging to the pain.
“The price you pay is awful, so much disease is based in loss, a lack of forgiveness and … if you can’t forgive, we can’t expect God to forgive us,” Gifford said. “Jesus said you’ve got to forgive or you can’t be forgiven. You have to do it, darlin’, and you’ll just be so grateful.”
.@KathieLGifford is a very good friend. I love her dearly. I asked her how I can forgive Cuomo and that’s when she gave me her opinion which came from a place of love and kindness. Her faith says be the first to forgive because that’s what Jesus did. It was a beautiful moment. https://t.co/hrmPMtLi8Z
— Janice Dean (@JaniceDean) September 20, 2022
Dean reflected on the exchange after the New York Post ran a story on the conversation, calling Gifford a “very good friend” and explaining the back-and-forth unfolded when Dean asked the TV host how to forgive Cuomo.
“I asked her how I can forgive Cuomo, and that’s when she gave me her opinion, which came from a place of love and kindness,” Dean said. “Her faith says be the first to forgive, because that’s what Jesus did. It was a beautiful moment.”
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