Experts warn that Donald Trump’s promotion of white Christian nationalists and prosperity gospel preachers to key government roles threatens democratic institutions and free speech. In February, Trump created an “anti-Christian bias” taskforce and a White House Faith Office (WHFO), claiming they would combat religious discrimination.
However, critics argue these initiatives are dominated by right-wing Christian loyalists, unlike similar offices under Biden and Obama that included Muslim, Sikh, and Jewish leaders. The WHFO is led by Paula White, a televangelist who denounced Black Lives Matter as the “Antichrist” and claimed Jesus would have been “sinful” for breaking immigration laws. Other appointees, like Jennifer Korn and Jackson Lane, have deep ties to Trump-aligned evangelical groups, signaling a narrow vision of Christianity in power.
Trump’s Oval Office prayer session with Christian nationalists like William Wolfe who advocates mass deportations as a “Christian issue” highlights the movement’s growing influence. Wolfe has falsely claimed Christians were excluded under Biden and Obama, despite their inclusive interfaith outreach.
Meanwhile, Russell Vought, Trump’s budget director and a key architect of Project 2025, openly promotes Christian nationalism, arguing for Christianity’s influence on government while paying lip service to church-state separation. Katherine Stewart, author of The Power Worshippers, warns these policies could dismantle democratic norms, divert public funds to religious institutions, and impose sectarian messaging in schools. The appointment of Pete Hegseth linked to anti-Muslim symbolism and Christian nationalist groups as defense secretary further underscores concerns. Critics fear Trump’s alliance with this movement prioritizes a fringe version of Christianity, marginalizing other faiths and accelerating authoritarian policies under the guise of religious liberty.
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