Trump announces creation of White House faith office and task force against anti-Christian bias

US President Donald Trump has announced the establishment of a White House faith office and directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead a task force dedicated to eradicating what he termed anti-Christian bias within the federal government.

Trump made these remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast held at the US Capitol, using the opportunity to call for "unity". He stated that his relationship with religion has "changed" following two failed assassination attempts last year.

During a second prayer breakfast in Washington, Trump adopted a more partisan stance, celebrating his efforts to address "woke" culture over the past weeks and outlining measures aimed at protecting Christians from religious discrimination.

"The mission of this task force will be to immediately halt all forms of anti-Christian targeting and discrimination within the federal government, including at the DOJ, which was absolutely terrible, the IRS, the FBI and other agencies," Trump proclaimed.

He asserted that his attorney general would strive to "fully prosecute anti-Christian violence and vandalism in our society and to move heaven and earth to defend the rights of Christians and religious believers nationwide."

Although the president did not provide specific instances of anti-Christian bias during his speech, he had previously alleged that the Biden administration was using federal resources to target Christians.

On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order to formally establish the task force and delineate its responsibilities, which entail recommending measures to eliminate "violative policies, practices, or conduct."

In contrast, Biden's administration had introduced a strategy in December to combat anti-Muslim and anti-Arab bigotry, along with a similar initiative against antisemitism announced in September 2023.

The measures disclosed on Thursday may raise constitutional concerns regarding the separation of church and state, given that the US Constitution's First Amendment restricts government endorsement of religion.

Having survived an assassination attempt last year, Trump has become a prominent figure in conservative American Christianity, often referring to a divine purpose behind his survival.

On Thursday, he also revealed plans to establish a White House Faith Office, headed by Reverend Paula White, a long-time religious adviser to him.

Previously, Trump created a similar office during his first term, frequently consulting with a close circle of evangelical advisors.

Additionally, he indicated the formation of a new commission on religious liberty while criticising the Biden administration for the "persecution" of believers by prosecuting anti-abortion advocates.

"If we don't have religious liberty, then we don't have a free country," he stated.