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Shortly after addressing the National Prayer Breakfast where he pledged to safeguard Christians across various sectors of American society, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to combat anti-Christian discrimination within federal institutions.
The announcement faced immediate criticism from progressive groups, who dismissed concerns about Christian persecution despite global statistics indicating that 380 million Christians face severe discrimination worldwide.
The executive order began by acknowledging constitutional protections for religious freedom and existing federal laws against religious discrimination. It then criticized the Biden administration’s approach, particularly highlighting what Trump described as unfair targeting of peaceful Christians while overlooking anti-Christian violence.
One key example cited was the Biden administration’s application of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act against pro-life protesters, many of whom Trump pardoned upon taking office.
TRUMP PROTECTS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
President Trump just signed an executive order to safeguard the religious rights of ALL Americans. Faith and freedom will NEVER be silenced in this country.
CHRIST IS KING 🙏🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/LJbz6VvZzX
— Susan S. Wiles 🇺🇸 NEWS (@SusanWNews) February 6, 2025
“My Administration will not tolerate anti-Christian weaponization of government or unlawful conduct targeting Christians.”
The order emphasized how the FACE Act was predominantly used to prosecute pro-life activists during Biden’s term, even as violence against churches and pro-life centers surged following the Dobbs decision.
Trump’s order pointed to the Biden Department of Justice’s apparent lack of response to widespread attacks on Christian institutions. The Family Research Council’s 2024 report documented 915 hostile acts against American churches between 2018 and 2023, including vandalism, arson, and bomb threats, a concern Senator Josh Hawley raised during a December hearing.
The order listed several contentious actions by the Biden administration, including the FBI’s controversial assessment of conservative Catholics, attempts to roll back religious protections for student groups, EEOC policies affecting Christian employers, restrictions on Christian foster care providers, and the scheduling of a transgender visibility day on Easter Sunday.
“My Administration will not tolerate anti-Christian weaponization of government or unlawful conduct targeting Christians,” Trump declared. “The law protects the freedom of Americans and groups of Americans to practice their faith in peace, and my Administration will enforce the law and protect these freedoms. My Administration will ensure that any unlawful and improper conduct, policies, or practices that target Christians are identified, terminated, and rectified.”
The order establishes a task force, led by Attorney General Bondi, to review federal agencies for discriminatory practices and recommend policy changes to prevent anti-Christian bias.
Rachel Laser of Americans United for Separation of Church and State criticized the initiative, stating, “This task force will misuse religious freedom to justify bigotry, discrimination, and the subversion of our civil rights laws. We’ve seen Christian Nationalists do this already, turning the sacred concept of religious freedom on its head and into a license to harm others.”
“All Americans should be free to exercise their faith without government intrusion.”
Various progressive voices, including USA Today columnist Chris Brennan and the Freedom from Religion Foundation, opposed the order, arguing that Christianity already enjoys significant privileges in America.
However, conservative and Christian organizations welcomed the initiative. The National Religious Broadcasters expressed gratitude for Trump’s leadership, while Kelly Shackelford of First Liberty Institute praised the order’s commitment to religious freedom.
At the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump also revealed plans for a religious liberty commission, emphasizing that religious freedom is fundamental to American liberty.
