WASHINGTON (AP) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has initiated a task force to investigate reports of alleged anti-Christian bias among its employees. This move is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to align its policies with religious objectives and support the rights of Christians, a significant demographic in the United States.
VA Secretary Doug Collins sent a department-wide email encouraging employees to report any instances of "anti-Christian discrimination" by providing details such as names, dates, and locations of the alleged occurrences. The email, which was reviewed by The Associated Press, outlines a specific internal email address for these reports. The Guardian was the first to cover this email.
President Donald Trump has initiated a government-wide task force aimed at addressing biases against Christians, who represent the largest faith group in the U.S. and have substantial political influence. Chaired by Attorney General Pam Bondi, the two-year task force includes members from various Cabinet departments and is tasked with identifying unlawful anti-Christian actions that may have emerged under the Biden administration. It aims to change objectionable policies and propose remedies for any past failures.
The establishment of this task force comes at a time when VA staff face uncertainty regarding the agency's future, which is responsible for providing medical and other benefits to millions of veterans. The department is undergoing a significant restructuring that could result in the loss of over 80,000 jobs.
In his email, Collins instructs staff to document incidents of "anti-Christian discrimination," which include adverse actions taken in response to requests for religious exemptions from previous vaccine mandates, reprimands for displaying Christian symbols, and any perceived hostility towards Christian views. Additionally, the email mentions potential retaliation or threats for individuals abstaining from procedures like abortions or hormone therapy related to transgender individuals. Other federal departments, including the Department of State, are also establishing similar internal hotlines for reporting such instances.
While Trump's initiative has received support from various Christian groups and conservative organizations, it has also attracted criticism for seemingly prioritizing Christian rights over those of other religious minorities and for blurring the lines between church and state.
Rachel Laser, the president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, expressed concern that the task force could misuse the concept of religious freedom to support discrimination and undermine civil rights laws. "All people, including Christians, should be able to live as themselves and believe as they choose," she stated. "But rather than protecting religious beliefs, this task force will misuse religious freedom to justify bigotry and discrimination."
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal, the top Democrat on the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, criticized the VA's actions as lacking factual backing and warned that the task force may cause division within the veteran community by favoring Christianity over other faiths. In a statement, he emphasized that veterans have sacrificed their lives to uphold freedoms, including the right to be free from religious intolerance or governmental interference. He reiterated that the First Amendment guarantees equal treatment for all religions and faiths, stating, "The government should be vigilant never to endorse or favor one religion above others."
