Major Changes in Civil Rights and Religious Freedom Under Trump
Under President Donald Trump's leadership, the direction of civil rights in the U.S. is taking a sharp turn. The focus on racial justice that has been important for over 60 years is no longer a priority. Instead, the emphasis is shifting towards protecting religious freedom and challenging what the administration calls "woke ideology."
Shifts at the Department of Justice
The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, originally established to protect rights like voting, is now focusing on other issues. According to Harmeet Dhillon, the head of the division, their new goals include fighting against anti-Christian bias and antisemitism. This change has led to expectations that many lawyers, who joined to work on traditional civil rights cases, might leave their positions by September.
Changes in Government Funding and Policies
During a recent Cabinet meeting, several secretaries praised efforts to reduce diversity initiatives within their departments:
- Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins spoke about ending contracts influenced by racial considerations.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted that projects with DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies would not receive federal funding.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mentioned the removal of DEI practices from the military, signaling a return to traditional practices at military bases.
The administration is also pressuring top universities like Harvard to drop their DEI programs by threatening to withhold funding. This includes money that supports scientific research.
International and Historical Comparisons
Trump's policies have not only affected domestic issues but also international ones. For example, while the U.S. has generally stopped accepting refugees, there is an exception for White South Africans claiming to face racism.
Presidential historian Mark Updegrove has described these changes as the "biggest rollback of civil rights since Reconstruction." He compares today's efforts to diminish diversity and equality initiatives to past periods when progress made after the Civil War was reversed by the rise of White Supremacy and Jim Crow laws.
Focus on Religious Freedom
A new task force led by Attorney General Pam Bondi is set to tackle what they see as anti-Christian bias in government. This action aligns with Trump's statements about bringing religion, specifically Christianity, back into prominence in the U.S.
At the Supreme Court, conservative justices are currently considering whether taxpayer money should support a Catholic charter school in Oklahoma. This case could influence how the U.S. views the separation of church and state going forward.
Concerns from Religious Leaders
Despite these governmental actions, some religious leaders are expressing concern. Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush of the Interfaith Alliance argues that Trump's focus on anti-Christian bias does not reflect the broader, more inclusive views of mainstream Christianity. He worries that this could lead to a version of Christian nationalism, where faith is used more for gaining power than for spiritual or communal purposes.
In summary, the Trump administration is reshaping how the government addresses civil rights and religious freedom, moving away from promoting racial equality and towards defending religious practices, particularly those aligned with Christian values.