President Trump has signed more executive orders in his first 100 days as President than any other president since Harry Truman. By now, President Trump has signed well over 100 executive orders, some of which are friendly to helping protect freedom of religion in America. Many Christians were pleased to know that Trump invited Scott Turner to open the first White House Cabinet meeting in prayer. He also used his executive power to issue pardons to 23 pro-life protesters who former President Biden had imprisoned because he said they were interfering with the abortion clinic’s services during their protest, according to The Daily Signal. Here are some recent executive orders that enhance and strengthen freedom of religion in America.
1. Establishment of the White House Faith Office
This is especially exciting because it’s never been done before. The executive order acknowledges that churches and other faith-based organizations have the ability to serve and strengthen individuals, families, and communities in ways that are more effective than what the government can do. The executive order is designed to “level the playing field for [obtaining] grants, contracts, programs and other Federal funding opportunities for churches and other faith-based organizations.” Churches and other faith-based organizations that are recognized as leaders and experts in their community and in their work will occasionally be recognized and have the opportunity to make recommendations to the President through the Assistant for Domestic Policy.
2. President Donald Trump Announced Appointments to the White House Faith Office
Pastor Paula White-Cain has been invited to return to the White House as a Special Government Employee and Senior Advisor of the White House Faith Office. Others who have been appointed to the office include Jennifer S. Korn, who will serve as the Deputy Assistant to the President and Faith Director, and Jackson Lane, who will serve as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Faith Engagement.
3. Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias
This executive order is intended to “protect the religious freedoms of Americans and end the anti-Christian weaponization of government.” It reiterates the First Amendment rights of all Americans and the rights of Americans under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In addition, it states that the Trump administration “will not tolerate anti-Christian weaponization of government or unlawful conduct targeting Christians” and promises that the Trump administration will enforce the law and protect the freedoms of Americans to “practice their faith in peace.”
4. Keeping Men out of Women’s Sports
This one has gotten quite a bit of press, and the executive order’s focus notes that Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 indicates that educational institutions receiving federal funds must legally allow women an equal opportunity to participate in sports. That being said, the executive order further indicates that “ignoring fundamental biological truths between the two sexes deprives women and girls of meaningful access to educational facilities.” In short, educational institutions that allow biological men to participate in women’s sports will have their federal funding rescinded. There will also be other penalties incurred.
5. Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism
The Bible is clear that those who bless Israel will be blessed (Genesis 12:3). That being said, religious freedom, according to America’s Constitution, isn’t exclusive to Christianity. It’s designed to offer freedom of religion to all, even Jews. Jews have experienced some horrible persecution, especially lately on college campuses. This executive order is focused on offering them protection in both the United States and fighting anti-Semitism around the world by “using all available and appropriate legal tools to prosecute, remove, or otherwise hold to account the perpetrators of unlawful anti-Semitic harassment and violence.”
6. Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling
Not only have children been subjected to “radical, anti-American ideologies” while parental oversight was “deliberately blocked,” as this executive order states, but there has also been an attack on Christian values, beliefs, and prayer in school. This executive order addresses the WOKE agenda that many parents don’t want to be forced on their children. In short, educational institutions that continue to force this agenda on students and undermine parental oversight will have their federal funding revoked.
7. Enforcing the Hyde Amendment
This executive order revokes two executive orders that former President Biden signed, which allowed for elective abortion with federal taxpayer money under “a wide variety of Federal programs.” Enforcing the Hyde Amendment and revoking those executive orders has put a stop to that. On a related note, many pro-lifers saw it as a major victory when Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022. Abortion rights are now decided by each individual state rather than on the federal level.