Hillsborough County commissioners award commendation to ‘plandemic’ MAGA pastor

This morning, a Tampa pastor with a well-documented history of spreading dangerous conspiracy theories— like mass shootings are false flags and the COVID-19 pandemic was planned by Bill Gates—was awarded a commendation by the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners for his community service.

Kicking off Wednesday’s regular meeting, District 5 Commissioner Donna Cameron Cepeda presented the commendation to Rodney Howard-Browne, and his wife Adonica, of The River Tampa Bay Church.

“Doctors Rodney and Adonica Howard-Browne have been instrumental leaders to their parishioners and community at The River of Tampa Bay Church. whose theme is ‘A church with a difference.’ It is a pleasure and an honor to recognize their dedication and good works,” said Cepeda.

Notably, all Hillsborough County commissioners signed the commendation, except for Pat Kemp, who was attending the meeting remotely, and Harry Cohen, who was late because of a “doctor’s appointment.”

In the commendation, Cepeda noted Howard-Browne’s “community outreach and numerous programs have positively impacted Hillsborough County.”

She also highlighted the pastor’s 1,000-day parking lot sermon series “The Stand,” which started shortly after Howard-Browne was arrested for defying local shutdown orders after he held in-person services during the peak of coronavirus pandemic. Those charges were later dropped.

After receiving the award, Howard-Browne, who actually lives in Hernando County, praised Hillsborough as “the best county in the whole of America.”

“First of all with a great honor for my wife and I to be here today,” said Howard-Browne. “And also to thank all the commissioners and the city. You know we love Tampa. This has been our home now more than anywhere else. And we pray over the city, we pray of all the commission we pray for the peace of this whole county. And as far as we’re concerned, this is the best county in the whole of America.”

Howard-Browne, who once appeared at the White House to pray over former President Trump, has been referred to by InfoWars host Alex Jones as “one of my favorite pastors,” which makes sense considering he has an extensive history of peddling far-right conspiracy theories.

Besides writing a book on the so-called “plandemic,”  Howard-Browne has previously stated that climate change isn’t real and chemtrails and weather manipulation are used to destroy our crops. He’s also claimed to have “cleansed Florida of Zika,” and that Satanists who perform human sacrifices and drink blood, are currently running the country. 

This article appears in May 11-17, 2023.