Former President Donald Trump has stirred controversy with a recent claim, asserting that undercover spies sent by the FBI are targeting Christians in what he describes as unprecedented persecution. Trump, in a video released on Thursday, December 22, accused the FBI and the Department of Justice (DOJ) of harboring an anti-Christian bias, alleging the deployment of agents to churches as part of their purported “bigotry.”
“Under crooked Joe Biden, Christians and Americans of faith are being persecuted like nothing this nation has ever seen before,” declared Trump in the video, singling out Catholics and evangelicals as the primary targets. The former president referenced a leaked FBI document warning of an extremist threat posed by “radical-traditionalist Catholics.”
The memo, released earlier this year, sparked outrage among Republicans who accused the federal government of religious persecution. Despite its removal by the FBI, citing failure to meet “exacting standards,” the controversy prompted an investigation by the GOP-led House’s Weaponization of the Federal Government Subcommittee.
In response, Trump urged Catholics to refrain from voting for Democrats, especially Biden, deeming the actions against them as “shocking.” Data from the Pew Research Center underscores the significant Republican support from white Catholics and white evangelicals, a key demographic that heavily backed Trump in the 2020 election.
FBI Director Christopher Wray faced questioning from senators regarding the memo, assuring that investigations would not be solely based on First Amendment-protected activity. Despite the ongoing controversy, none of the individuals involved in creating the memo were dismissed, although Wray noted that their conduct would be considered in annual performance reviews.
In light of these allegations, Trump announced his intention, if reelected, to establish a dedicated task force aimed at combating anti-Christian bias. Additionally, he pledged to reform the DOJ to investigate illegal discrimination, harassment, and persecution of Christians. The proposed task force would scrutinize past DOJ prosecutions for evidence of prejudice and review government agencies, educational institutions, and corporations with alleged “anti-Christian diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.”
Trump’s announcement has heightened the debates surrounding religious freedom, government overreach, and the role of federal law enforcement agencies in protecting civil liberties. The FBI’s handling of the matter remains a focal point, with the subcommittee’s interim report titled “The FBI’s Breach of Religious Freedom” emphasizing the necessity of guarding against government overreach to protect Americans’ civil liberties.
