President Donald Trump announced on Thursday his initiative to eliminate what he calls “anti-Christian bias” within the United States. He revealed the formation of a task force, spearheaded by Attorney General Pam Bondi, tasked with investigating the alleged targeting of Christians in federal agencies.
During two events in Washington that coincided with the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump emphasized that the task force would address what he views as discriminatory actions against Christians, particularly within the Department of Justice, the IRS, the FBI, and other governmental departments. He assured attendees that the group will work tirelessly to prosecute violence and vandalism aimed at Christians, aiming to ensure the rights of religious believers across the nation are protected.
After participating in the National Prayer Breakfast, a long-standing bipartisan event for lawmakers, Trump shared how his views on religion have evolved, particularly following what he described as two near-assassination experiences last year. He urged the public to reinvigorate their spiritual lives by “bringing God back” into their everyday routines.
In a follow-up event, however, Trump adopted a more partisan stance, announcing not only the task force but also a new commission on religious liberty. He criticized the Biden administration for its perceived “persecution” of believers, specifically regarding the prosecution of anti-abortion advocates, and took credit for earlier efforts to dismantle diversity and inclusion programs as well as restricting transgender participation in women’s athletics.
“I don’t know if you’ve been watching, but we got rid of woke over the last two weeks,” Trump stated, adding that the concept of “woke” is “gone-zo.”
His announcement of the new task force was met with opposition from organizations such as Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The group’s president, Rachel Laser, expressed concerns that the initiative would misuse the concept of religious freedom, thereby enabling discrimination and undermining civil rights.
At the Capitol, Trump reiterated the importance of religion in personal happiness, claiming, “you can’t be happy without religion.” The 2023 National Prayer Breakfast featured a unique split this year, with separate events: one on Capitol Hill for lawmakers and a larger gathering at a hotel. This division arose as legislators sought to distance themselves from the private religious organization that has organized the larger event for decades due to questions about its funding and structure.
Reflecting on his close call with death during a rally in Pennsylvania, where a bullet nearly struck him, Trump shared his newfound sense of purpose and strengthened beliefs. “It changed something in me, I feel,” he said, emphasizing a deeper connection to his faith and marveling at the fact that the incident did not impact his hairstyle.
As a nondenominational Christian, Trump called for an unwavering commitment to championing religious liberty, which he described as a fundamental aspect of American society. Throughout his presidency, he has found himself at odds with several religious leaders. His disagreements with figures like Rev. Mariann Budde, who spoke out for compassion towards marginalized communities, showcase ongoing tensions between his administration and certain faith leaders.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance, a practicing Catholic, has faced conflict with U.S. bishops over immigration policies, and concerns persist among clergy about the government’s actions within houses of worship, particularly regarding immigration enforcement.
Reflecting on past National Prayer Breakfast events, Trump notably stirred controversy during his previous attendance, which followed his acquittal in his first impeachment trial. His remarks then involved veiled criticisms of Democratic leaders, emphasizing his distaste for those who weaponize faith for political gain.
The National Prayer Breakfast has been a tradition since 1953 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower first attended. Each subsequent president has participated in the event. This year, Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan and Republican Senator Roger Marshall served as honorary co-chairs, while President Joe Biden spoke at the Capitol gathering, with his comments shared with the larger private event audience.
