Ep.47 / Trey Reed Autopsy Update, Liberty Council & Trumps "Spiritual" Advisor Arrested

First, the shocking new details in the Trey Reed case, where a second autopsy—funded by Colin Kaepernick’s organization—contradicts official reports and reignites the fight for racial justice and transparency. Then, we unpack Liberty Counsel’s decades-long crusade to overturn marriage equality, tracing how this extremist group has been quietly building the groundwork to dismantle LGBTQ+ rights in America. Finally, we confront the disturbing truth behind Donald Trump’s spiritual advisor, Pastor Robert Morris, who pled guilty to sexually abusing a child—raising serious questions about power, religion, and accountability.

Injustice, Hypocrisy, and Power: Trey Reed, Liberty Counsel, and Trump’s Pastor Scandal

Welcome back to HOT AIR, your go-to source for unfiltered commentary on the stories that really matter. In today’s episode, we covered three stories that are simultaneously enraging, heartbreaking, and eye-opening. We’re talking about the Trey Reed case, Liberty Counsel’s long-running campaign against marriage equality, and the shocking conviction of Robert Morris, former spiritual advisor to Donald Trump. Buckle up — it’s going to be a deep dive.

Trey Reed: Searching for Truth Amid Conflicting Reports

Let’s start with Trey Reed, a 21-year-old Black student at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. On September 15, 2025, Trey was found hanging from a tree on campus. The official ruling? Suicide. But anyone following this case knows that the story is far more complicated than that.

Here’s what we know: the initial report from the university claimed that Trey had died in his dorm. Later, it was clarified that he was found near the campus pickleball courts. Conflicting information like this immediately raises red flags, especially when you’re talking about the death of a young Black man in Mississippi — a state with a long, painful history of racial injustice.

The Reed family refused to accept the official ruling. They brought in civil rights attorney Ben Crump, a name synonymous with high-profile racial justice cases. Crump immediately pushed for a deeper, independent investigation, citing inconsistencies in the official report and concerns about transparency.

To get a second opinion, the family arranged for an autopsy funded by Colin Kaepernick’s ‘Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative.’ The independent autopsy was conducted by Dr. Matthias I. Okoye, a respected pathologist known for examining complex cases. While the results have not been fully released, speculation has already taken over social media. The central question remains: did Trey Reed take his own life, or was there foul play involved?

The tragedy of this case isn’t just the death itself. It’s also the systemic issues it exposes — how Black lives are treated in educational institutions, how official narratives are accepted without question, and how families often have to fight tooth and nail for transparency. Social media, protests, and petitions have kept the conversation alive, and civil rights organizations like the NAACP are calling for a federal investigation.

This case is a reminder: the fight for justice doesn’t end with a ruling. It begins there.

Liberty Counsel: The Decades-Long Attack on Marriage Equality

Next up, we’re diving into Liberty Counsel, a conservative legal organization that has been working tirelessly to dismantle marriage equality in America. Founded in 1989 by attorneys Mathew and Anita Staver, Liberty Counsel presents itself as a defender of religious freedom and traditional family values. But the reality is much more strategic and, frankly, insidious.

The organization’s target became crystal clear after the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. While the rest of the country celebrated, Liberty Counsel saw a battleground. They argued that the decision was unconstitutional and infringed upon religious freedoms, and they’ve been working ever since to roll it back.

One of their most publicized efforts involved Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples on religious grounds. Liberty Counsel defended her in court, claiming her First Amendment rights were violated. While Davis eventually served jail time for contempt of court, Liberty Counsel’s involvement signaled that this wasn’t a one-off case — it was part of a broader strategy.

Liberty Counsel has also filed petitions with the Supreme Court to overturn Obergefell, arguing that marriage policy should return to individual states. Beyond that, they’ve supported state-level resolutions and initiatives designed to challenge the legitimacy of same-sex marriage. They’ve built a coordinated, multi-pronged legal and cultural campaign that combines litigation, lobbying, and media strategy.

Public opinion, however, has not followed Liberty Counsel’s lead. According to Gallup, support for same-sex marriage has steadily increased over the years, reaching around 70% in 2025. But the organization continues to fight, framing their crusade as a defense of religious freedom while strategically undermining LGBTQ+ rights.

What does this mean for the LGBTQ+ community? It’s a stark reminder that victories in the courts don’t guarantee permanent protections. Rights that feel settled can still be under attack, and organizations like Liberty Counsel show us just how carefully long-term legal and cultural campaigns are orchestrated.

Robert Morris: Religious Power Exploited

Finally, we come to the shocking and disturbing case of Robert Morris, former pastor of Gateway Church in Texas and spiritual advisor to Donald Trump. In March 2025, Morris pled guilty to sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl decades earlier.

Here’s the breakdown: Morris was a traveling evangelist in the early 1980s. The victim, Cindy Clemishire, alleged that Morris abused her between 1982 and 1986 in both Texas and Oklahoma. The Oklahoma statute of limitations didn’t apply because Morris was not a resident of the state at the time, allowing prosecutors to pursue charges.

In a plea deal, Morris was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with six months in county jail and the remainder suspended. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender and pay $250,000 in restitution.

The case has ignited outrage for several reasons. First, Morris’s position as a spiritual advisor to Donald Trump gave him influence and visibility that should have come with accountability. Second, the case underscores a broader pattern of abuse within religious institutions — the exploitation of trust and authority to harm vulnerable individuals.

Clemishire has spoken publicly about her hope that coming forward will empower other survivors. Meanwhile, the civil lawsuit against Morris and Gateway Church highlights the institution’s role in failing to act when the abuse was first reported. This isn’t just a story about one man; it’s about a system that enabled abuse, protected power, and silenced victims for decades.

Connecting the Threads

What ties these three stories together? At their core, they’re about power, accountability, and the fight for justice. Trey Reed’s family fights to uncover the truth in a system that initially failed them. Liberty Counsel works to bend laws and institutions to fit a specific ideology, threatening rights that many Americans consider settled. Robert Morris exploited religious authority to harm a child and delay accountability for decades.

Each story also forces us to confront uncomfortable truths. We see how institutions — whether legal, religious, or educational — can perpetuate harm. We see how systemic issues like racism, religious authoritarianism, and legal loopholes intersect with real human lives. And we see why vigilance, advocacy, and public awareness are critical.

At HOT AIR, our goal is to shed light on these injustices, hold people and institutions accountable, and give you the context and detail you need to understand what’s happening. Because knowledge is power — and silence protects the powerful, not the vulnerable.

Why You Should Care

These aren’t just stories from the news cycle — they’re reflections of broader cultural and political battles. The Trey Reed case reminds us that racial injustice is still very real and that young Black lives are often undervalued by systems meant to protect them. Liberty Counsel shows us how legal strategies can be used to chip away at hard-won rights, proving that vigilance is necessary even after major court victories. And the Robert Morris case is a reminder that no amount of status, power, or political connection should place someone above accountability, especially when children are involved.

As listeners, staying informed is the first step toward action. These stories call on us to ask questions, support victims, challenge unjust systems, and advocate for a more equitable and transparent society.

Stay Connected with HOT AIR

If you found this episode and blog insightful, make sure you follow HOT AIR on Instagram @_hotairpod and submit your listener stories or topic suggestions at hotairwithjoshuarobert.com. New episodes drop every Tuesday and Friday, covering the stories that matter, in a voice that doesn’t shy away from controversy, hypocrisy, or injustice.

Because at the end of the day, if we’re not asking questions, shining a light on abuse of power, and seeking truth, who is?