Trump's 'God squad' holds increasing sway at White House

At his inauguration, Donald Trump declared he had been “saved by God.” Now, in his second term, he appears to be embracing a more conservative, faith-driven agenda.

On Friday, Trump signed an executive order establishing a "Faith Office" at the White House, led by televangelist Paula White, his longtime spiritual advisor. The move follows the formation of a task force, announced by Attorney General Pam Bondi, aimed at combating what Trump described as the “persecution” of Christians in the United States.

His cabinet appointments reflect this shift, with figures like Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth—both associated with Christian nationalist circles—holding key positions.

Despite a historically complex relationship with religion, Trump has maintained strong evangelical backing. Unlike his predecessor, Joe Biden, a practicing Catholic, Trump is rarely seen in church and has described himself as “non-denominational.” Scandals, including a conviction related to hush money payments to a porn star, and the sale of $60 Trump-branded Bibles during his campaign, have not dampened his appeal among conservative Christian voters.

A Religious Transformation?

During his first term, Trump made gestures toward religious groups, such as holding a Bible in front of a church near the White House after law enforcement dispersed Black Lives Matter protesters. Evangelical leaders also held prayer meetings in the Oval Office.

However, Trump now claims to have undergone a deeper religious shift, attributing it to his near-death experience when an assassination attempt left him wounded at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

"It changed something in me," he told attendees at the National Prayer Breakfast. "I believed in God before, but now I feel it much more strongly."

Despite this renewed faith, Trump has not hesitated to criticize religious leaders who oppose his policies. He recently lashed out at Bishop Mariann Budde, who officiated his inaugural church service and later urged him to show compassion toward immigrants and LGBTQ communities.

Christian Nationalist Influence

Trump’s close advisors also signal his growing alignment with Christian nationalist movements. White and House Speaker Mike Johnson have ties to the New Apostolic Reformation, a movement advocating for Christian control over government and society.

White gained attention in 2020 for leading a widely mocked prayer session calling for divine intervention in Trump’s reelection. Vance, a Catholic convert, has been linked to Christian nationalist groups, while Hegseth belongs to a church affiliated with the right-wing Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), which promotes biblical law and has members advocating for restrictions on women’s rights.

While Trump has not explicitly endorsed these positions, he continues to champion policies that resonate with religious conservatives. He has repeatedly praised his Supreme Court appointees for their role in overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022 and has signed executive orders reversing progressive policies on diversity, transgender rights, and abortion.

In a recent speech at the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump underscored his commitment to expanding faith’s influence in public life.

“We have to bring religion back,” he declared. “Let’s bring God back into our lives.”
This article was reported by journalist Jimmy.