Trump Doubles Down On Religious Messaging
President Donald Trump and members of his Cabinet marked Christmas with unapologetically faith-based messages, highlighting how the second Trump administration has openly embraced Christianity in both rhetoric and policy.
The emphasis on faith extended beyond holiday greetings. Late on Christmas Day, President Trump announced that U.S. forces had carried out airstrikes against ISIS targets in Nigeria. He said the operation was a direct response to the group’s violent attacks on Christian communities.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised the U.S. military and condemned ISIS for what he described as the ongoing persecution and killing of Christians. Days later, he referred to the operation as a “Christmas present” delivered to the terrorist organization.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced the administration’s position, stating that the president had been clear that violence against innocent Christians—whether in Nigeria or elsewhere—would not be ignored.
Throughout Christmas Day, Cabinet officials and federal agencies shared messages centered on the meaning of the holiday and the Christian faith. The Department of Homeland Security released a Christmas video featuring American families, holiday traditions, and imagery associated with the birth of Jesus Christ, paired with a message wishing Americans a Merry Christmas.
When asked about the post, a DHS spokesperson offered a brief response: “Merry Christmas!”
Other departments echoed similar sentiments. The Department of Labor shared a line from the hymn Joy to the World. Hegseth posted a message recognizing Christmas as the celebration of “the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the Christian belief in eternal life through Christ.
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers defended the administration’s messaging, criticizing what she described as media efforts to portray faith-based expressions as controversial. She said the Trump administration is proud to celebrate Christmas alongside millions of Christian Americans and extended holiday wishes to critics as well.
The administration’s emphasis on religion reflects a broader strategy that has been in place since early in President Trump’s second term. In February, Trump established a White House Faith Office led by longtime adviser Paula White-Cain and Jennifer Korn. The office is tasked with supporting faith-based organizations and addressing what the administration views as rising hostility toward religious Americans.
That same month, Trump also created a task force focused on combating anti-Christian bias. In May, he launched the Religious Liberty Commission, which is charged with identifying threats to religious freedom and reinforcing America’s constitutional protections for people of faith.
According to the White House, these initiatives were formed in response to what officials say were repeated efforts by the previous administration to use federal agencies against peaceful religious Americans.
Trump allies have echoed these themes in public remarks. At the funeral of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Hegseth urged attendees to honor Kirk’s legacy by keeping Christ at the center of their lives.
Critics of the administration argue that the government’s religious messaging risks blurring the line between church and state. Alex Nowrasteh of the Cato Institute said the federal government should remain neutral on matters of faith, while former diplomat Laura Kennedy warned that America’s laws were designed to prevent the establishment of a national religion.
Some critics have also pointed to the First Amendment, which protects religious freedom while prohibiting the federal government from establishing an official religion.
Despite the criticism, President Trump continues to enjoy strong backing from evangelical voters. A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that white evangelical Protestants remain among his most reliable supporters, with large majorities approving of his leadership and expressing confidence in his words.
President Trump has repeatedly argued that faith and national strength are deeply connected. Speaking earlier this year at the Museum of the Bible, he said that when faith declines, the nation weakens—but when faith grows stronger, positive change follows.
Trump said his administration is standing up for Americans’ freedoms while reaffirming the country’s identity as a nation rooted in faith, adding that the United States remains “one nation under God.”
