Biden's Government Targeted Christians, Now Trump's Task Force Strikes Back

The Biden administration’s assault on religious liberty wasn’t subtle. From churches slapped with IRS investigations to Christian schools buried under punitive fines, the federal government wielded its power to silence those who dared live by their faith. Ordinary Americans, from pastors to parents, faced a bureaucracy that seemed to view their beliefs as a threat. The pattern was undeniable, and the stories are chilling.

Enter President Trump’s Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias, launched with a clear mission: root out the federal government’s hostility toward Christians. Announced on April 22, 2025, by Attorney General Pamela Bondi, this initiative isn’t just a policy shift; it’s a lifeline for Americans who felt abandoned by their own government. The task force’s inaugural meeting brought together cabinet heavyweights and everyday citizens who bore the brunt of Biden’s overreach, exposing a troubling legacy that demands accountability.

Consider Cornerstone Church, where Pastor Gary Hamrick faced an IRS investigation for alleged violations of the Johnson Amendment, a vague rule restricting political speech by tax-exempt organizations. First Amendment litigator Michael Farris, an elder at the church, called it what it was: a targeted attack on a congregation’s right to speak freely. This wasn’t about tax law; it was about punishing a church for its worldview.

Then there’s Liberty University and Grand Canyon University, Christian institutions hit with fines for daring to uphold their faith-based principles. Dr. Scott Hicks, provost at Liberty, detailed how Biden’s Department of Education singled out these schools, not for academic failings but for their commitment to a Christian ethos. The message was clear: conform or pay the price.

Perhaps most jarring is the story of Phil Mendes, a Navy SEAL stripped of duty for requesting a religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The Department of Defense, under Biden, dismissed his sincerely held beliefs, effectively punishing him for his faith. These aren’t isolated incidents; they’re part of a broader campaign to marginalize Christians across federal agencies.

The task force didn’t stop at individual stories. FBI Director Kash Patel revealed the agency’s infamous anti-Catholic memo, a document that painted traditional Catholics as potential threats. This wasn’t a one-off mistake; it was a symptom of a deeper bias that skewed investigations and priorities. Patel’s commitment to purging this mindset from the FBI signals a seismic shift toward fairness.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio exposed how Christian Foreign Service Officers were penalized for homeschooling their children, with some facing baseless child abuse allegations or IRS scrutiny. Others were coerced into promoting ideologies abroad that clashed with their faith, particularly in nations where such actions violated local religious norms. Even Christian holidays at U.S. embassies were stripped of meaning, while non-Christian celebrations received full recognition. The hypocrisy is staggering.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recounted how St. Francis Health System in Oklahoma was ordered to extinguish a sanctuary candle or lose federal funding. Meanwhile, Biden’s policies made it harder for Christians to become foster parents, prioritizing ideological conformity over loving homes. These examples paint a picture of a government that viewed faith not as a right but as an obstacle.

Some argue this task force overreaches, claiming it inflates minor grievances or risks favoring one religion over others. Civil liberties groups have raised concerns, suggesting it could shield discrimination under the guise of religious freedom. But these criticisms crumble under scrutiny. FBI data may show fewer anti-Christian hate crimes compared to other groups, but that misses the point: systemic bias in federal policy isn’t always loud or violent. It’s the quiet erosion of rights, the selective enforcement, the chilling effect on free exercise.

The Biden administration’s defenders might point to their support for religious diversity, but their actions tell a different story. When Christian holidays are downplayed while others are celebrated, when faith-based schools are punished for their beliefs, and when vaccine exemptions are denied despite sincere objections, the pattern isn’t diversity; it’s discrimination. The task force isn’t about privilege; it’s about restoring equality under the law.

This isn’t the first time religious liberty has faced government overreach. The Supreme Court’s rulings in Meyer v. Nebraska (1923) and Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925) affirmed parents’ rights to direct their children’s education, including through religious schools. Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) upheld the right to prioritize faith over state mandates. These precedents, alongside the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, underscore a truth: religious liberty is a cornerstone of American freedom, not a footnote.

Yet, the Biden administration’s actions echo a troubling trend of regulatory overreach. The Johnson Amendment, wielded against Cornerstone Church, has long been criticized for chilling religious speech. Recent Supreme Court decisions, favoring religious organizations’ autonomy, expose the fragility of such restrictions. Project 2025’s push to deregulate faith-based organizations aligns with this trajectory, ensuring they can serve communities without compromising their beliefs.

The Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias is more than a response to past wrongs; it’s a blueprint for protecting faith in public life. By reviewing every federal agency for discriminatory practices, it sends a message: no American should fear their government for living out their beliefs. From the IRS to the Department of Education, the task force’s mandate is clear: dismantle policies that punish faith and restore the First Amendment’s promise.

President Trump’s executive order, signed in February 2025, sets a 120-day deadline for recommendations, ensuring swift action. With leaders like Bondi, Patel, and Rubio at the helm, the task force has the firepower to deliver. For parents like those in Skaneateles, New York, whose daughter was treated as a boy without their consent, or educators like Katie Medart and Rachel Sager, fired for defending parental rights, this is a lifeline. Their stories, amplified by the task force, remind us what’s at stake: the soul of a nation built on freedom.