I have to agree with you here. I’ve always had great respect for the Reverend Billy and Franklin Graham, but I’m saddened by the apparent capitulation for, as you say, political expediency.
Either something is true or it isn’t. Duty to the Gospel first; let God worry about the consequences.
All said, it would have been better to let the page stay, but to add an explanatory note or link to an explanation why Billy has befriended Mitt. And if Mitt got browned off about that, then so be it. There are certain things that can’t be denied.