U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he will create an office at the White House dedicated to religious issues and instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead a task force aimed at eliminating what he called discrimination against Christians within the federal government.
President Trump made the comments during the National Prayer Breakfast at the Capitol, using his speech to call for unity and telling lawmakers that his relationship with faith has changed since he survived two assassination attempts last year.
In a second prayer breakfast in Washington, President Trump used a more partisan tone, expressing satisfaction with the recent elimination of social justice programs based on aspects such as race and gender (the so-called “woke” programs). He also announced measures to protect Christianity from what he described as religious discrimination.
“The mission of this task force will be to immediately stop all forms of attacks on Christians and discrimination within the federal government, including the Justice Department, which has been absolutely horrendous, as well as the IRS, FBI, and other agencies,” President Trump said.
He pledged that the attorney general would work “to fully investigate violence and vandalism against Christians in our society and do everything possible, on earth and in heaven, to protect the rights of Christians and believers worldwide.”
Although the president did not provide specific examples of Christian discrimination during his speech, he has previously accused the administration of former President Biden of using the federal government to target Christians in particular.
On Thursday, President Trump signed an executive order to establish the task force and define its responsibilities, which includes recommending steps to end “abusive policies, practices, or behaviors.”
Former President Biden’s administration announced a strategy in December to combat bias against Muslims and Arabs, as well as a similar plan to address antisemitism in September 2023.
The actions announced on Thursday may raise constitutional questions regarding the separation of church and state, as the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution limits government support for religion.
In the last three election cycles, white evangelical Christian voters, who make up a vital part of the Republican base, have supported President Trump. He has embraced conservative Christian views and policies that reflect the concerns of this demographic about changing gender norms and family models, reports VOA.
The president also announced on Thursday that he would create a Faith Office at the White House, to be led by Pastor Paula White, who has served as his religious advisor for many years.
President Trump created a similar office in the White House during his first term and consulted regularly with a close group of evangelical advisors.
He also mentioned that he would create a new commission for religious freedom and criticized the Biden administration for the “persecution” of believers through criminal prosecutions of pro-life activists.
