“Anti-Christian Bias” Witch Hunt at Trump’s VA Undermines Religious Freedom and Harms All Americans

WASHINGTON, DC – Interfaith Alliance, a national leader in defending religious freedom and multi-faith democracy, condemned the Trump Administration’s order for Veterans Affairs (VA) department staff to report each other for “anti-Christian bias,” a dangerous escalation of its Christian nationalist crusade to undermine Americans’ religious freedom and First Amendment rights.

The VA’s move follows yesterday’s first meeting of the White House’s new “anti-Christian bias” task force. It demands that staff report their on their colleagues for “any informal policies, procedures, or unofficially understandings hostile to Christian views.”  

Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance and an ordained Baptist minister, is a leader in the nationwide push by religious communities to mobilize against Trump’s authoritarian overreach. Raushenbush and Interfaith Alliance have documented numerous attacks by the Trump Administration on religious leaders, communities and charities, including many targeting Christians. 

Rev. Raushenbush released the following statement: 

 “To find anti-Christian bias, the Trump administration should look in the mirror at its own targeting of Christian communities that dare to oppose its extreme agenda. This task force is a political stunt designed to promote the lie that American Christians are a persecuted group - and to provide justification to target anyone in the federal government deemed out of step with the Christian nationalist agenda. 

“The Trump administration’s new anti-Christian witch hunt clearly violates the founders’ vision of a government without an official religion. The federal government should uphold fundamental religious freedom and dignity for all Americans, regardless of their faiths and beliefs. Instead, it is systematically dismantling programs and laws designed to prevent discrimination and promote diversity and equality.

“The criteria that have been laid out for purported ‘anti-Christian bias’ are ridiculously vague. They falsely imply that there is a uniform understanding of what is ‘Christian’-- rather than acknowledging that Christianity is diverse in its interpretations and expressions of the faith. While the majority of American Christians support LGBTQ equality and do not want to ban abortion, it’s clear the Trump administration intends for its ‘anti-Christian bias’ effort to aid those who are using their faith as an excuse to discriminate against LGBTQ Americans and undermine reproductive health care. 

“The reality is this: Christians and other faith communities don’t need President Trump’s protection – they need protection from Trump’s attacks on religious freedom. 

“From allowing immigration raids in churches to targeting faith-based charities, the Trump administration’s aggressive government overreach is infringing on religious freedom in a way we haven’t seen for generations. That’s why so many Christians, along with millions of other Americans of diverse faiths and beliefs, continue to speak out and push back against the White House’s extreme agenda.”

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Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.

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