Exclusive: Christian leaders blast Trump's "anti-Christian bias" unit

A group of Christian leaders is denouncing a new White House task force aimed at rooting out "anti-Christian bias" at a time when the Trump administration is going after liberal Christian groups that help immigrants and the poor.Why it matters: It's the latest example of divisions between moderate and conservative Christians who are at odds over the administration's free speech and immigration policies.Zoom in: In a letter signed by two dozen leaders and scholars, the group of leaders say they reject the idea that there is widespread persecution of Christians in the United States — a popular claim among white evangelicals.The leaders say they fear that the "anti-Christian Bias Task Force" will be weaponized to privilege one tradition within Christianity over others, creating anti-Christian bias even as it claims to combat it."We are also aware of how claims of 'anti-Christian bias' are shown to provide cover for white supremacy," the letter says.The letter was signed by Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, CEO and president of the Interfaith Alliance, and Rev. Liz Theoharis, co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign, among others.State of play: In February, President Trump signed an executive order "establishing a task force to end the anti-Christian weaponization of government and unlawful conduct targeting Christians."It fulfills a promise Trump made to white evangelicals — who were among his strongest supporters — to prevent the federal government from requiring them to provide reproductive care to employees or protect the rights of transgender people.Last week, Attorney General Pam Bondi held the task force's first meeting and took comments from evangelicals who alleged the Biden administration had targeted them.What they're saying: The groups critical of the task force are telling the White House that the messages from many Christians "are very clear: You're not speaking for us," Raushenbush tells Axios.He's been a Christian minister for more than 25 years, but says he doesn't feel protected by the White House. The administration's efforts seem meant to "only protect a certain sector of Christianity that is pre-approved by this government," he added.Raushenbush pointed to Trump's harsh words for the Rev. Marianne Budde over her plea for mercy at an inaugural prayer service.The other side: "The Trump administration is committed to rooting out anti-Christian bias and protecting religious freedom for all people of faith," said White House Assistant Press Secretary Taylor Rogers. "We finally have a president that is bringing faith back to America and is using his executive power to protect our God-given rights. Combating anti-Christian bias is not only important to the 140 million Americans who are Christians, but also, the Christians around the world who look to us as the beacon of religious freedom."By the numbers: 78% of Americans oppose the establishment of a task force focusing on anti-Christian bias, according to a survey out this week from the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) . Six in 10 Americans disagree with the notion that discrimination against Christians and white Americans has become as big of a problem as discrimination against other groups, the poll found.The intrigue: The leaders called out the administration for targeting groups such as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Lutheran Family Services, which historically have helped immigrants and refugees."We are appalled by the hypocrisy of the Trump administration in shutting the door on our siblings in Christ who are attempting to flee real Christian persecution around the world," they wrote.The Trump administration is aggressively going after such groups amid its push for mass deportations and crackdown on student visas.Between the lines: Some religious leaders, such as Gabriel Salguero, president and co-founder of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, have said Scripture calls on Christians to help immigrants, known as the "stranger" in the Bible.Meanwhile, polls indicate white evangelicals are among the strongest supporters of Trump's mass deportation policies.The backstory: Progressive Christian leaders say the Gospels indicate Jesus was a refugee.In the Gospel of Matthew, Joseph is told through a dream that King Herod is sending soldiers to kill Baby Jesus over fears that he was the new King of the Jews.Joseph then gathers Mary and Jesus in the dead of night to flee to Egypt, making them refugees who are escaping persecution.They return to the land of Judea only after King Herod has died.In the Gospel of Luke, Joseph is forced to take a pregnant Mary to Bethlehem to register for the required Roman Empire census.She gives birth to Jesus and places him in a manger because "there was no room for them in the inn."Bible scholars say the Holy Family's dire situation — in poverty, forced to travel by order of the government — is echoed in many of today's immigrants.

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