WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump’s first few weeks in office brought the topic of religious freedom to the forefront, announcing a new task force to fight anti-Christian bias and establishing a presidential commission on religious liberty. Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump declared the U.S. a “haven of religious freedom,” vowing to protect it. Vice President JD Vance also addressed the International Religious Freedom Summit, emphasizing the need for fostering a culture where faith thrives. He spoke of the U.S. recognizing regimes that respect religious freedom versus those that persecute it. Sam Brownback and Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett at the summit highlighted religious freedom as a foundational human right, with Brownback noting that more religious freedom worldwide leads to fewer conflicts. White House Correspondent Owen Jensen reports.
In a series of high-profile addresses, President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance underscored the administration’s commitment to defending religious freedom, both domestically and abroad, amid growing global persecution of faith communities.
Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast, President Trump announced the creation of a new task force dedicated to combating anti-Christian bias and a Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty. “I really believe you can’t be happy without religion. Let’s bring God back into our lives,” Trump declared, framing religious liberty as essential to American identity. He vowed to protect this “proud heritage,” calling the U.S. a “haven of religious freedom.”
Vice President J.D. Vance expanded on this theme at the International Religious Freedom Summit, urging a foreign policy that distinguishes between nations that respect religious rights and those that suppress them. “Part of protecting religious freedom means recognizing regimes that persecute the faithful,” Vance said, citing the plight of Iraq’s Christians as an example requiring “moral clarity” from the U.S.
Global Implications and Historical Context
Former U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback linked religious persecution to global instability. “More religious freedom means less conflict and fewer refugees,” he argued, noting that many migrants flee to the U.S. to escape faith-based oppression. Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, co-chair of the summit, called religious freedom the “foundational human right” underpinning freedoms of speech, press, and association.
The leaders also condemned authoritarian regimes, including China, Nicaragua, and North Korea, for systemic persecution of religious minorities. Brownback emphasized that religious liberty is “the freedom of all freedoms,” while Lantos Swett warned that its erosion threatens other rights.
Domestic Initiatives and Cultural Shifts
The administration’s push includes fostering a culture where faith “can thrive,” as Vance noted. This dual focus—legal safeguards and societal respect—aims to address both domestic and international challenges. Trump’s new commission will tackle barriers faced by religious groups in the U.S., while the task force targets anti-Christian discrimination.
A Call for Moral Clarity
The speeches highlighted a bipartisan consensus on the urgency of religious freedom. Trump’s reference to America’s roots as a refuge for persecuted pilgrims resonated with calls to modernize U.S. policy. “We must act when something has gone wrong,” Vance said, urging support for global faith communities.
As the White House ramps up its efforts, advocates hope these initiatives will translate into tangible protections for vulnerable groups worldwide. For now, the administration’s message is clear: religious freedom remains a non-negotiable pillar of American values and global human rights.
Key Takeaways:
- New task force and commission aim to combat anti-Christian bias and protect religious liberty.
- U.S. foreign policy urged to prioritize nations respecting religious rights.
- Religious freedom hailed as the foundation of other human rights.
- Authoritarian regimes like China and North Korea condemned for persecution.
- Historical parallels drawn between past pilgrims and modern refugees fleeing persecution.