Trump Announces Task Force to Combat “Anti-Christian Bias” in Government
President Donald Trump announced the creation of a task force aimed at eradicating what he described as an “anti-Christian bias” within the federal government, Al Jazeera reports.
The announcement was made on Thursday at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., an annual event attended by religious groups and government leaders.
During his speech, President Trump stated he would sign an executive order later in the day and appoint Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead the initiative. He identified the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as agencies potentially subject to scrutiny under the new effort.
President Trump stated that Bondi would also be tasked with “fully prosecuting anti-Christian violence and vandalism in our society and to move heaven and earth to defend the rights of Christians and religious believers nationwide.”
While President Trump did not provide specific examples of what constitutes “anti-Christian bias,” the planned executive action raises potential constitutional questions regarding the separation of church and state.
The First Amendment of the US Constitution protects freedom of religion. The “establishment clause” of that amendment, which states that Congress “shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,” is often interpreted as prohibiting the government from imposing or promoting religious beliefs. However, some evangelical advocates argue that Christianity is a fundamental component of the US government system. President Trump has actively engaged with this demographic throughout his presidential campaigns.
During his remarks, President Trump urged Americans to “bring God back” into their lives. In addition to the task force, he also announced the establishment of a commission on religious liberty. He further reflected on his relationship with religion following two failed assassination attempts last year, stating that it “changed” him. Speaking at a subsequent prayer breakfast sponsored by a private group, President Trump remarked:
“It was God that saved me.”
He also criticized his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, accusing him of “persecution” for his administration’s prosecution of anti-abortion rights advocates accused of blockading reproductive healthcare clinics.
The new task force has already prompted discussions and commentary.
Instances of friction between President Trump and religious leaders have been noted. Following his second inauguration, President Trump attended a sermon by Reverend Mariann Budde at the Washington National Cathedral, where she called for “mercy” for members of the LGBTQ+ community and undocumented immigrants. President Trump subsequently responded on his platform, Truth Social, referring to Budde as a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater.”
Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic, has also engaged in discussions with US leaders of his church concerning immigration issues. Concerns have been raised by other clergy members regarding the removal of churches from a list of locations previously protected against immigration enforcement actions.
The National Prayer Breakfast has been an annual tradition in Washington, D.C. for 70 years. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first president to attend the prayer breakfast in 1953, and every president since has addressed the gathering.
