100 Day Report Card: Trump on Faith Issues
The first 100 days of the Trump administration are being discussed in the media but one aspect being overlooked is policy decisions impacting faith.
One thing is clear: the weeks since Jan. 20 have transformed how faith intersects with American governance. From establishing new federal offices to expanding religious liberty protections across multiple sectors, the administration’s actions represent a noticeable shift in religious freedom policy, including from his first term.
Faith in Government
In February, President Trump signed an executive order establishing the White House Faith Office. “And today we must protect the fundamental freedom with absolute devotion. We must stand strong, just like generations of Americans have done” on Trump Faith Office, he declared during the signing ceremony. “We will not allow people of faith to be targeted, bullied, or silenced anymore,” Trump emphasized.
The office immediately began consulting with faith leaders on religious liberty defense and adoption promotion, signaling a new approach to faith-based initiatives. It comes at a time of heightened violence against both Christian and Jewish houses of worship.
Anti-Christian Bias Task Force
The Trump administration established a task force to address what he termed “anti-Christian weaponization” of government. Trump said Attorney General Pam Bondi would work to “fully prosecute anti-Christian violence and vandalism in our society and to move heaven and earth to defend” religious liberty on Trump Bias Task. “It is the policy of the United States, and the purpose of this order, to protect the religious freedoms of Americans”, the executive order stated.
The task force, established under a specific executive order, aims to investigate and address perceived discrimination against Christian communities in federal institutions. “Our goal is to ensure that no American faces persecution for their religious beliefs,” Bondi declared.
Education and Religious Liberty
Newly confirmed Secretary of Education Linda McMahon outlined a transformative vision for American education. “We will eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy so that our colleges, K-12 schools, students, and teachers can innovate and thrive,” she stated in her first major policy address on McMahon Education Policy.
The administration’s education initiatives emphasized:
- New voucher programs supporting private and religious education
- Protection of religious expression in public schools
- Expanded parental rights in educational decision-making
- Return of educational authority to local communities
McMahon further elaborated that the goal was to remove “red tape and bureaucratic barriers” to empower parents in making educational choices for their children. “Education is fundamentally a state responsibility. Instead of filtering resources through layers of federal red tape, we will empower states and local communities,” she explained on Education State Responsibility.
Healthcare and Faith-Based Treatment
The administration continued to prioritize faith-based approaches to healthcare and social services. New policies supported religious treatment programs and expanded protections for faith-based healthcare institutions. “We recognize that faith-based treatment programs offer unique and valuable support for individuals seeking recovery,” a Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson stated on Faith Based Treatment.
Pro-Life Initiatives
The administration maintained its commitment to supporting religious organizations with pro-life missions. “The Catholic Church’s commitment to protecting life remains paramount,” noted Archbishop José Gomez on Catholic Life Commitment. The administration is also working to ensure that doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who choose not to participate in an abortion for religious reasons are not targeted by their employers.
International Religious Freedom
Trump’s approach to international religious freedom remained a key policy focus, with initiatives designed to protect religious minorities and promote religious liberty globally. “Religious liberty is a fundamental human right that transcends borders,” stated a State Department spokesperson on Religious Liberty Global.
Looking Ahead
These first 100 days suggest a more dedicated policy approach to religious liberty and faith-based initiatives. While some civil liberties groups express concerns, the administration continues to advance its vision of protecting religious expression in American public life.
The White House shows no signs of slowing its faith-focused agenda. “It is the policy of the United States, and the purpose of this order, to protect the religious freedoms of Americans”, as the executive order explicitly states on Religious Freedoms Americans, indicating that religious liberty will remain a central theme of Trump’s second term.
–Dwight Widaman
Image created using AdobeExpress AI
