Pastor Greg Locke Says Family Threatened by 'Witchcraft-Practicing Psycho'

Pastor Greg Locke has increased security at his home in response to what he called threats "by a witchcraft-practicing psycho."

Locke, who founded the Global Vision Bible Church in Tennessee, previously attracted controversy by calling coronavirus a "fake pandemic" and burning books from series such as Harry Potter and Twilight, which he claimed promote "witchcraft."

On Monday Locke tweeted: "Tonight, my family was publicly threatened with death by a witchcraft practicing psycho. Extra security is at my home and a police report has been filed. Speaking truth makes enemies. I WON'T BE SILENT!!"

The pastor didn't provide details on the exact nature of the alleged threat, or who he thinks it was made by. Newsweek has reached out for comment.

In September 2021 Locke was permanently suspended from Twitter after making a number of medically discredited claims about COVID-19, urging his congregation not to get vaccinated against the disease.

His account was reinstated earlier this month as part of an amnesty introduced by new Twitter owner Elon Musk, which saw a number of hard-right and conspiracy theory-linked figures return to the platform. Those reinstated included Donald Trump, though the former president has said he will stick to his own Truth Social platform.

Locke is an outspoken Trump supporter, and backed the former president's false claim that the 2020 presidential election was rigged. He also attended the January 6, 2021, protest against the election's certification in Washington.

Following a speech from Trump, hundreds of his supporters stormed Capitol Hill, in an attempt to stop Congress certifying the election result. In the ensuing violence, which Locke played no part in, one Trump backer was shot dead and dozens of police officers injured.

On Monday, the House committee investigating the January 6 attack announced criminal referrals against Trump on four charges.

With more than 2.2 million followers on Facebook alone, Locke is one of the most prominent influencers on the American religious right.

Locke has befriended Roger Stone, the Republican operative who was pardoned by former President Trump after being convicted of making false statements, witness tamping and obstructing an official proceeding.

In August 2021 Stone, who Locke has described as "like a grandfather now," spoke at the Global Vision Bible Church.

Speaking to CNN about the relationship, Locke said: "He'll call me like once every other week and ask me to pray for his wife, who was extraordinarily sick.

"Everybody's got a past. I've got one. You've got one. We've all got a past. I just don't think we need to hold the man's past against him."

In February Locke livestreamed the burning of what he termed "demonic" books, including the Harry Potter series, at his church.

In a message to his congregation on Instagram ahead of the burning he said: "Bring all your Harry Potter stuff. Laugh all you want haters. I don't care. IT'S WITCHCRAFT 100 PERCENT.

"All you 'Twilight' books and movies. That mess is full of spells, demonism, shape-shifting and occultism."