During a speech at the National Religious Broadcasters International Christian Media Convention held in Nashville, former President Donald Trump voiced serious concerns regarding what he perceives as targeted actions against Christians by the current administration.
According to Trump, suppressing or manipulating religious institutions is a tactic historically associated with authoritarian regimes. He accused the American radical left of trying to dismantle Christian symbols and replace them with their own in an attempt to marginalize Christian voices and values in the public sphere.
Even though President Joe Biden is openly Catholic, Trump argued that the administration he leads has been at the forefront of what can be described as a campaign of religious persecution. This campaign, Trump asserts, has been particularly evident in the actions and policies implemented by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Here is what Trump is basing his arguments on:
The Surveillance of Catholic Congregations
Under Biden’s presidency, there have been reports of the FBI conducting surveillance on traditional Catholic groups, with a particular focus on identifying links to white supremacist ideologies. An initially leaked memo from the FBI’s Richmond office labeled “Radical-Traditionalist Catholics” as potential extremists. Although the memo was retracted following its exposure to the public, subsequent revelations indicated that this surveillance was not an isolated incident but part of a broader FBI effort.
Prosecution of Pro-Life Activists
In a notable move in 2022, the DOJ prosecuted 22 individuals associated with the pro-life movement. This action was taken even though no violent acts by pro-choice advocates took place at the centers. Among those prosecuted was Paul Vaughn, a devout Christian and father of 11, who could face a lengthy prison sentence and substantial fines for participating in peaceful prayer vigils outside abortion clinics.
These charges against the pro-life activist were framed around accusations of obstructing the operations of the clinic and intimidating its staff and patrons. The charges have drawn national attention to the Biden Department of Justice’s virulent prosecution of pro-life activists—which began in the months following the United States Supreme Court’s June 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade.
“The Biden Department of Justice’s pattern of arresting and prosecuting peaceful pro-life advocates is disturbing,” shared Steve Crampton, Senior counsel for Vaughn.
DHS Operations Against Christian Groups
A leaked internal memo shed light on a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiative that appeared to use federal funding not for its intended anti-terrorism purposes but to discredit and undermine groups with opposing views, including Christian organizations. This initiative was part of a broader effort to label dissenting voices as threats to national security, thereby justifying surveillance and other forms of governmental intervention.
Overturning of Conscience Protection for Healthcare Workers
One of the Biden administration’s regulatory changes involved rescinding a rule established during the Trump presidency that protected healthcare workers who objected, on moral or religious grounds, to performing certain medical procedures, such as abortions. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) argued that while it respects the moral convictions of healthcare providers, it must also ensure that patients’ rights and health needs are met, thereby necessitating the removal of these protections.
Punishing Grand Canyon University, the Nation’s Largest Christian University
The Department of Education imposed a significant fine on Grand Canyon University, alleging that the institution engaged in deceptive practices related to the advertising of its doctoral programs. The university’s leadership has vocally contested this fine, framing it as an example of overreach by the federal government and indicative of a broader pattern of targeting based on ideological grounds. The university plans to fight a $37.7 million fine from the Education Department, accusing the department of religious persecution.
Through these examples, Trump painted a picture of an administration that, in his view, has systematically sought to undermine and marginalize Christian communities and their values. This narrative taps into broader concerns among some segments of the American population about the erosion of religious liberties and the politicization of religious identities.
