President Trump announced on Thursday his intention to eliminate what he perceives as “anti-Christian bias” in the United States. During his speeches at two events coinciding with the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, he revealed the establishment of a task force led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, aimed at investigating the alleged targeting of Christians in various government sectors.
In his remarks, Trump directed the task force to “immediately halt all forms of anti-Christian targeting and discrimination” within federal agencies such as the Department of Justice, IRS, and FBI, which he described as “terrible.” He also mentioned that Bondi’s responsibilities would include the prosecution of violence and vandalism against Christians, pledging to take extensive measures to defend the rights of religious believers across the nation.
These statements followed Trump’s participation in the National Prayer Breakfast, a long-standing bipartisan gathering in Washington that promotes fellowship among lawmakers. He shared how personal experiences, including two assassination attempts last year, had altered his relationship with faith, urging Americans to “bring God back” into their lives.
Despite advocating for “unity” earlier, Trump shifted to a partisan stance at a subsequent event, declaring that he would also create a commission on religious liberty while criticizing the Biden administration for what he described as the “persecution” of believers, particularly in the context of legal actions against anti-abortion activists. He also boasted about efforts made during his administration to diminish diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, as well as restrict transgender participation in women’s sports. “We got rid of woke over the last two weeks,” he stated confidently.
The formation of the task force drew backlash from Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The organization’s president, Rachel Laser, asserted that instead of safeguarding religious beliefs, the task force would exploit the concept of religious freedom to validate discrimination and undermine civil rights laws.
At the Capitol, Trump emphasized the inseparability of happiness and faith, reinforcing his belief that people “can’t be happy without religion.” In 2023, the National Prayer Breakfast experienced a division into two separate gatherings: one at Capitol Hill mainly attended by lawmakers and a larger private event in a hotel. This fragmentation arose as legislators aimed to distance themselves from the private religious organization that had long overseen the event due to concerns regarding transparency and funding.
Recalling his near-death experience at a rally, Trump expressed a newfound strength in his faith, stating, “I believed in God, but I feel much more strongly about it now.” During a separate private prayer breakfast, he remarked that “it was God that saved me” from the assassination attempt. His humor resurfaced when he quipped about being thankful the incident “didn’t affect my hair.”
Identifying religious liberty as a fundamental aspect of American life, Trump reiterated his commitment to its protection. His administration has often clashed with religious leaders, as seen in his disagreements with Rev. Mariann Budde’s sermon promoting mercy for LGBTQ+ individuals and migrants, and he has faced pushback from Catholic leaders, including Vice President JD Vance during immigration discussions. Concerns have also been raised regarding the potential repercussions of removing protections for churches, which could subject places of worship to federal immigration actions.
The previous prayer breakfast during Trump’s first term coincided with his impeachment acquittal, where he leveled pointed remarks at prominent Democrats such as Nancy Pelosi and Mitt Romney, criticizing those who invoked faith for personal gain. Every president since Dwight D. Eisenhower has participated in this tradition since its inception in 1953, including current representatives from both parties.
In the 2023 and 2024 iterations of the event, Democratic President Joe Biden made appearances, with his comments broadcast to a separate gathering as well. This ongoing dialogue highlights the complex intersection of faith and politics currently shaping the American landscape.
