A somber stillness settled over the National Cathedral as President Trump attended a service, a moment captured for the White House Archives. This visit foreshadowed a dramatic shift in policy, ignited by concerns over what officials perceived as a growing hostility towards conservative Christians.
The catalyst arrived in April, during the inaugural meeting of a newly formed task force. Officials presented a troubling picture: a pattern of investigations, substantial fines, and escalating conflicts directed at Christian institutions. At the center of this emerging narrative was Grand Canyon University (GCU), one of the nation’s largest Christian universities, facing a $37 million penalty.
President Trump responded decisively. An executive order, issued on February 6, 2025, established the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias. The order declared a firm U.S. policy: the protection of religious liberty and an end to what was described as the weaponization of government against Christians. It asserted that the previous administration had unfairly targeted peaceful believers, particularly those advocating for pro-life causes.
The order didn’t exist in a vacuum. It referenced federal prosecutions of pro-life demonstrators – including elderly individuals and even a Catholic priest – cases where President Trump had already extended pardons in January 2025. Scrutiny extended to the FBI, the Department of Education, and other agencies, accused of policies that undermined core Christian beliefs regarding gender identity and religious expression.
The Department of Education, under the prior administration, had accused GCU of misleading doctoral students about program costs, specifically citing unexpected tuition increases from required courses. GCU vehemently denied these claims, arguing they were unfairly singled out and had provided clear disclosures to students. A lengthy appeal process ensued, challenging multiple federal actions.
Then, a stunning reversal. In May 2025, the Department of Education rescinded the $37 million fine entirely, dismissing the case “with prejudice” – meaning it could not be revisited. GCU hailed the decision, declaring the accusations “without merit.” Simultaneously, the Federal Trade Commission dropped its remaining lawsuit against a GCU affiliate, effectively ending all Biden-era enforcement actions against the university.
GCU characterized the investigations as a coordinated attack, a form of “lawfare.” With an enrollment of 123,000 students, including 25,000 on campus, the university also reaffirmed its nonprofit status, safeguarding access to vital federal financial aid programs. While Liberty University claims a larger overall student body, GCU’s victory resonated deeply.
Beyond the specifics of the GCU case, critics pointed to a broader trend. Concerns arose that the previous administration exhibited a systemic bias against Christian education, a sentiment fueled by several high-profile disputes.
In 2021, College of the Ozarks, a small Christian university, initiated a lawsuit against the Biden administration over a Department of Housing and Urban Development directive aimed at protecting LGBTQ individuals in federally funded housing. The university, represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, challenged the policy’s application to campus housing, fearing it would be forced to accommodate transgender students based on gender identity.
Further evidence emerged from reports by the American Principles Project. These reports alleged that the Department of Education disproportionately targeted Christian and vocational institutions through its Office of Enforcement. The data revealed that nearly 70 percent of enforcement penalties were levied against these institutions, despite representing less than 10 percent of the total student population.
The reports highlighted the stark contrast between the $14 million Clery Act penalty imposed on Liberty University and the comparatively smaller fines levied against major universities like Michigan State and Penn State in cases involving sexual abuse. This disparity fueled accusations of selective enforcement and bias.
By mid-2025, the Justice Department’s Task Force released its findings: a “consistent and systematic pattern of discrimination against Christians” under the previous administration. The June 6 report, released publicly in September, cited university fines, arrests of pro-life protesters, COVID-19 vaccine mandates, and investigations related to the Johnson Amendment as evidence of this bias.
The report also referenced the controversial “Richmond Memo” from the FBI, which suggested monitoring “radical-traditionalist” Catholics. Allegations of “debanking” – the denial of financial services – to Christian groups and increased IRS scrutiny of churches further contributed to the narrative of systemic discrimination.
The Trump administration responded with a series of actions, including pardons, intervention in zoning disputes involving churches, and limitations on Johnson Amendment enforcement. Plans were also announced for guidance on prayer in schools, signaling a clear shift in priorities.
The current administration, led by figures like Vice President JD Vance, Speaker Mike Johnson, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is arguably the most openly Christian in modern American history. This bold expression of faith is largely attributed to President Trump’s leadership.
At the National Prayer Breakfast, President Trump announced his intention to rededicate America as “one nation under God” during the nation’s 250th anniversary. He envisioned a sacred prayer ceremony on the National Mall on May 17, inviting Americans from all walks of life to join in prayer and thanksgiving.
