One of the most concerning legacies of this era has been the growing fusion of political governance with Christian nationalist ideology. This troubling trend (to put it lightly), marked by the Trump administration’s toxic rhetoric and policy decisions, signals a dangerous shift in American politics. Christian nationalism seeks to redefine the separation of church and state—a cornerstone of democracy in the Land of the Free—in favor of a government that prioritizes one religious identity over others.
Under the Trump administration, this ideology has been emboldened—influencing policies on reproductive rights, LGBTQIA2S+ protections, immigration, and education. This alignment of political decisions and Christian nationalist narratives marginalizes non-Christian communities and challenges the foundational principles of religious freedom enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
In this article we will be exploring how Trump’s foolish and hypocritical embracing of Christian nationalism threatens equality and analyzing the rhetoric and policies that have fueled this concerning shift.
The very first bungle of Trump’s official term in office was failing to properly place his hand on the Bible when being sworn into office, not necessarily a cause for concern but still it was an interesting bit of foreshadowing. As stated in this Salon article, “While it is customary to swear by some holy text, it is not constitutionally required.” Curious, as Trump signed a radical new order pledging to “fight anti-Christian bias.” Trump calls himself a non-denominational Christian—this author wonders if perhaps that is because he doesn’t actually know anything about specific denominations.
Trump stated that a task force led by Pam Bondi—a fixture in Trump’s orbit for years—would be directed to “immediately halt all forms of anti-Christian targeting and discrimination within the federal government” including the Department of Justice, the IRS, the FBI, and other unnamed agencies. Where exactly is the discrimination in a country wherein the highest elected official is asked to place his hand upon a Bible while being sworn in?
Trump’s comments came after he joined the National Prayer Breakfast at the Capitol, a “tradition” that is younger than mobile phones and roll-on deodorant. He told lawmakers there that his relationship with religion had “changed” after a failed assassination attempt last year. Sure, Jan.
He also announced he would be forming a commission on religious liberty (just the one religion, mind) and criticized Biden’s administration for persecuting anti-abortion advocates. One of these being Lauren Handy who received a pardon from Trump despite breaking into and illegally blockading a clinic in D.C., assaulting and injuring a nurse on duty there, and having the remains of five fetuses in her home.
Trump’s new initiative drew criticism from Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The group’s president Rachel Laser said, "rather than protecting religious beliefs, this task force will misuse religious freedom to justify bigotry, discrimination, and the subversion of our civil rights laws.”
The Reverand Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, a Baptist minister and head of the progressive Interfaith Alliance, pointed out Trump’s hypocrisy, “From allowing immigration raids in churches, to targeting faith-based charities, to suppressing religious diversity, the Trump Administration’s aggressive government overreach is infringing on religious freedom in a way we haven’t seen for generations.”
How strange this prejudicial infusion of Christianity, when immediately following Bishop Mariann Budde asking Trump and his followers to exercise the most basic Christian teachings, she was attacked relentlessly by the GOP for daring to ask them to have mercy on marginalized communities. The immediate and hateful reaction by the far-right demonstrated how hate groups attempt to discredit even fellow Christians, questioning the authenticity of their beliefs and framing them as having secular political and social positions rather than faith-based convictions—Deuteronomy 10:19, be damned.
By labeling liberal Christians as “secular ideologues,” far-right groups aim to imply that Budde and Christians like her are prioritizing progressive political agendas over the tenets of Christianity as interpreted by more conservative factions. This tactic allows opponents to marginalize liberal Christians and paint them as outsiders within their own faith and undermine their influence in conversations about religious freedom and morality.
The attempts to discredit Bishop Budde are part of broader efforts to control the narrative around what constitutes “true” Christianity. The Trump administration’s alignment with Christian nationalist ideology has undermined foundational principles of religious freedom and democracy in the United States. As we endure these next four years, it is imperative for Americans to remain vigilant, ensuring that equality and true religious freedom is preserved. The only way to protect democratic values and a society that is fair and inclusive for everyone is to maintain the separation of church and state.