Trump's push against "anti-Christian bias" hits federal workers

The Trump administration is ramping up its efforts to crack down on what it calls "anti-Christian bias," telling federal workers to report any instances of such discrimination they've seen or experienced.Why it matters: The move reflects a persistent claim by President Trump's campaign as he courted evangelicals — that Christians are under attack in the U.S. — and is part of an ongoing push by conservatives to inject more religion into government.Zoom in: The administration's message is drawing criticism from federal workers and some Christian faith groups.They say it's confusing and possibly problematic for people — including Christians — who don't identify with the type of evangelicals the White House is trying to support.Some worry, for example, that those who don't observe Christmas could be accused of anti-Christian bias.Critics also point out that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act already prohibits religious discrimination in federal programs.The big picture: The movement to put more religion in public settings and institutions is unfolding as the percentage of white Christians in the U.S. continues to decline, and an increasing share of Americans identify with no religious affiliation. Trump and many conservative Republicans have seized upon those societal and religious shifts to raise alarms within their loyal, white evangelical base."The entire project of so-called anti-Christian bias is simply a play to [the administration's] white evangelical base," says Robert P. Jones, president and founder of the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute.Catch up quick: The White House and the conservative-led Supreme Court both appear to be willing to give religious groups, particularly Christian ones, special consideration under the law.Last week, Trump issued an executive order on religion, creating what he called a commission on religious liberty. He'd already announced a Faith Office and a plan aimed at "eradicating anti-Christian bias" that cited alleged anti-Christian activity by the Biden administration. Trump ordered up a task force on anti-Christian bias led by the Justice Department, with agency heads as members. They met for the first time in April.State of play: The order for federal workers to report any "anti-Christian bias" came after that meeting.VA Secretary Doug Collins sent a department-wide email last month asking employees to "submit any instance of anti-Christian discrimination."He said examples would include "any retaliatory actions taken in response to religious holiday observances," and "any observations of mistreatment for not participating in events or activities inconsistent with Christian views."The VA is still figuring out what happens next.The agency is "staffing the anti-Christian bias task force and developing a framework for handling issues flagged by VA employees," VA Press Secretary, Pete Kasperowicz said in an email to Axios."If there is bias, we want to find it, we want to make it right," a White House official told Axios.At the State Department, a few "concerning allegations" surfaced, the official said. What they're saying: The VA used to send out official emails to staff that would highlight all kinds of religious holidays and traditions, one agency employee told Axios, requesting anonymity out of fear of retaliation.That all stopped after the anti-DEI push following Trump's inauguration. "It's just very clear who is and is not welcome right now," the employee said."Asking employees to report unlawful bias is not, by itself, unlawful. If done honestly it is a good thing," said David Super, a Georgetown Law School professor whose research focuses on administrative law.But administration officials "seem to be making little effort to explain or define what anti-Christian bias is," he said. "I fear that some people will think that Jews, Muslims or others who do not celebrate Christian holidays will be reported for anti-Christian bias."Critics also point out that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act already prohibits religious discrimination in federal programs. Any notion that such efforts are biased toward Christians is a misunderstanding, the White House official said."President Trump has raised the face of faith in America to the highest level," the official said, adding that the faith office "gives a prominence to all people of faith."There will be other religion-oriented task forces, including one on anti-Semitism, the official said.

Comments

World news

U.S. and U.K. expected to announce a trade deal that Trump says will cement their relationship

washington times

Comments

Similar News

U.S. and U.K. expected to announce a trade deal that Trump says will cement their relationship

The EU publishes a US product hit list and prepares for WTO action against Trump's tariffs

Watch live: Trump announces historic US-UK trade deal

Putin and Xi Present a United Front as They Face an Unpredictable Trump

What’s really in the UK’s Trump trade deal

Republicans set to vote to make Trump’s Gulf of America official

Trump campaign architects are now training their sights on Albania's upcoming election

Carney ‘put to bed’ Trump’s talk of the 51st state, former ambassador Frank McKenna says

New York watchdog warns Trump cuts will usher in ‘open season’ for scammers

Trump’s Russia-Ukraine Deal Will Be Null and Void

Meet the L.A. holistic doctor and wellness influencer who is Trump's choice for surgeon general

FIRST READING: Report warns that making nice with Trump is auto sector’s only hope

U.S., UK to announce trade pact, Trump’s 1st deal since tariffs began

Melania has ‘spent less than 14 days’ at the White House since Trump’s inauguration

Bond giant says Trump tariffs mean recession chances ‘highest they’ve been in years’

Trump confirms ‘full and comprehensive’ trade deal with UK – US politics live

Contributor: Why older Americans are Trump's biggest nightmare

Trump announces US trade deal with the UK: President hails 'comprehensive' agreement to 'cement' Special Relationship

Trump Administration to Announce Trade Deal With Britain

Putin and Xi Present a United Front as They Face an Unpredictable Trump

World news

U.S. and U.K. expected to announce a trade deal that Trump says will cement their relationship

India fires attack drones into Pakistan, wounding soldiers, Pakistani military says

Bank of England cuts main interest rate by 0.25% to 4.25% in face of U.S. tariff uncertainty

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators clash with security guards at Columbia University

Nuclear war fears as Russia and China to back Pakistan against India in WW3 scenario

Pentagon confirms new hypersonic aircraft that will challenge China and Russia

Russian economy meltdown as oil revenues plummet 12% and 'mass bankruptcies loom'

Fate of model dubbed 'world's most beautiful girl' after accusations against mum

US shows off military might at its Pacific base near Taiwan

The EU publishes a US product hit list and prepares for WTO action against Trump's tariffs

Georgia civil rights committee member resigns after being charged with homicide

More than a dozen children injured in circus tent fire in Germany

‘Cruel and heartless:’ Parents of murder victim slam Kristi Noem after DHS secretary cites their daughter in speech

Watch live: Trump announces historic US-UK trade deal

Why Bill Gates is donating 99 per cent of his billion dollar fortune to Gates Foundation

Twins, 12, among those killed in Indian border town in Pakistani shelling: ‘We are paying with our blood’

Bill Gates donates $107 billion fortune to the Gates Foundation and closes it down

Soviet satellite Kosmos 482 due to crash into Earth this week – what is the probe and where could it hit?

Orthodox Church leader says faith is humanity's safeguard against the 'impending robotocracy'

Jury begins deliberating in UK trial of men accused of felling Sycamore Gap tree

European Parliament votes to lower protections on wolves

Tourists given urgent 'do not visit' warning for beautiful country in Africa

Who could be the new Pope? The cardinals tipped to come out on top in the Conclave

Who is Cardinal Tagle? The youthful 67-year-old tipped as a favourite to be the next Pope

Who is Pietro Parolin? The ‘Clark Kent’ cardinal tipped to bring the papacy back to Italy

Michelle Obama reveals Barack’s three words after mother’s death: ‘You’re next up’

Bill Gates pledges his remaining fortune to the Gates Foundation, which will close in 20 years

Watch: Eerie AI-generated video of army veteran shot dead played during killer’s sentencing hearing

What happens next in Tyre Nichols case?

Republicans set to vote to make Trump’s Gulf of America official

Hunting wolves is about to become more common in Europe – here’s why

Denmark will summon US diplomat over increased US intel gathering in Greenland

More than 100 vultures die in a mass poisoning in South Africa's flagship national park

Dubai police make several arrests over disturbances after a local soccer match

Trump campaign architects are now training their sights on Albania's upcoming election

India and Pakistan trade fire and accusations after Indian missile attack

India says it targeted air defense systems in several locations in Pakistan

Canary Islands hit by a power cut a week after Spain’s outage

Carney ‘put to bed’ Trump’s talk of the 51st state, former ambassador Frank McKenna says

Why grandparents are more important than ever

Trump’s Russia-Ukraine Deal Will Be Null and Void

Spain power outage LIVE: Tens of thousands hit by fresh Canary Islands blackout

Man heard scratching at window then woke up to find ex tucked up in his bed

Aldenhoven fire: Multiple children injured after horror blaze breaks out in circus tent

Moment 'Karen' screams at fellow Brit tourists for 'stealing her sunbeds' in Lanzarote

LG takes on Samsung with 50% TV discount during rare sale

India-Pakistan war latest: Delhi launches fresh strikes on radar facilities

Sextortion blackmailer jailed after plot backfired when man fled her home

Soviet era spacecraft trapped in orbit for 50 years could fall in UK in just days

French intelligence confirms downing of France-made fighter jet by Pakistan

Canary Islands power cuts LIVE: La Palma hit by major outage

'I imagine my Becky smiling in heaven'...as refugees are children again

Denmark summons US ambassador over report of Greenland spying

Melania has ‘spent less than 14 days’ at the White House since Trump’s inauguration

Meet the Oklahoma state superintendent pushing Trumpism into schools

Gamblers bet millions on who will be the next Pope

More than 100 vultures die after eating elephant poisoned by poachers