Faith and Freedom: Trump’s Agenda for Religious Rights

Trump’s Second Term Pledges Robust Defense of Religious Freedom

As Donald Trump prepares for his second term, experts anticipate a renewed commitment to defending religious freedom. In an analysis by Jorge Gomez published on First Liberty, Trump’s previous policies are cited as a foundation for significant advancements in religious liberty, which his administration promises to build upon. Trump’s first term introduced policies that prioritized religious freedom across federal agencies and within public life, which many see as pivotal to protecting religious rights.

During his initial term, Trump enacted the 2017 Executive Order on Protecting Religious Liberty and 2019 Executive Order on Combating Anti-Semitism, alongside the 2020 Executive Order on Advancing International Religious Freedom. Additional policy updates enabled religious organizations to receive federal funds for educational programs, protected the rights of faith-based entities in federal contracts, and allowed displays of religious symbols in veterans’ facilities. The Trump administration also established a Conscience and Religious Freedom Division within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to protect religious rights in healthcare, reinforcing support for organizations like the Little Sisters of the Poor from mandates contrary to their beliefs.

Trump’s faith-based initiatives extended into various sectors, including an update to Department of Labor regulations favoring fair treatment for religious contractors and Department of Education guidelines to support religious groups’ access to funding. His policies reversed regulations that previously hindered houses of worship from accessing emergency aid.

With Biden’s administration revoking or revising several Trump-era policies, many religious advocates view the coming term as an opportunity for Trump to reaffirm and protect religious liberties further. Trump aims to reverse recent federal redefinitions of Title IX that affect faith-based institutions and restore a policy framework that supports religious expression across public spaces, schools, and military settings.

Trump has also outlined additional steps to safeguard religious liberty. He pledged to establish a Religious Liberty Task Force to address anti-Christian bias, eliminate the Johnson Amendment to support free speech for religious leaders, and protect symbols of religious heritage. His upcoming term includes commitments to defend Christian rights, prevent censorship, and uphold the national motto, “In God We Trust.”

In recent addresses, Trump emphasized his commitment to universal school choice, gender protections in sports, and child safety legislation—each aimed at aligning public policy with religious beliefs. He reassured the Jewish community of his continued support for Israel, promising to protect American synagogues, schools, and values from anti-Semitic threats.

For those concerned about religious freedom and First Amendment rights, a second Trump administration promises to reestablish policies promoting religious liberty as an essential pillar of American life.