Faith and Politics: A Shaky Alliance
A Busy Year for the President
In 2025, President Trump has been exceptionally active, signing 225 executive orders in just one year. This surpasses the total number of orders he issued during his entire first term.
Focus on Religion
A significant portion of these orders pertains to religion, aiming to make America a more Christian nation.
Key Initiatives
- Task Force Against Christian Bias: Created to address perceived bias against Christians in government.
- Office of Religious Freedom: Established to protect and promote religious freedom.
- Commission for Religious Revival: Formed to bring religion back to the forefront of American life.
Presidential and Vice Presidential Statements
President Trump has publicly stated that he believes he was saved by God to make America great again. Vice President JD Vance frequently emphasizes that America will always be a Christian nation.
Opposition and Criticism
Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, under Pope Leo XIV, has expressed discontent with the government's treatment of immigrants. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has also spoken out against mass deportations, deeming them unjust.
Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church has severed its partnership with the government due to disagreements over immigrant policies. They describe the government's actions as unfair and cruel.
Evangelical Churches
Evangelical churches, traditionally strong supporters of the Republican Party, are divided:
- Silence: Some are afraid to voice opposition to the government's policies.
- Support: Others are aiding the government in its crackdown on immigrants.
- Avoidance: Many are choosing to avoid the topic altogether.
The MAGA Coalition's Dilemma
This division poses a significant challenge for the MAGA coalition, which is supposed to be united. The disagreement over immigrant policies has created a notable rift within the alliance.
