On Thursday, Donald Trump announced the formation of a Department of Justice task force to “eradicate anti-Christian bias” within the federal government and prosecute violence against Christians. While framed as a defense of religious liberty, this initiative represents a dangerous fusion of church and state that echoes historical precedents of religious authoritarianism and signals America’s deepening descent into a form of Christian nationalism. If left unchecked, this move will mark another milestone in the erosion of democratic norms, as history and literature alike have warned us.
The Historical Dangers of Government-Sanctioned Religious and Ideological Policing
The intertwining of religious authority with government power has often led to repression, intolerance, and authoritarianism. History is replete with examples of regimes that used religion as a tool to suppress dissent and consolidate power. Trump’s task force bears troubling similarities to these historical precedents, raising concerns about its long-term implications.
The Spanish Inquisition: Weaponizing Faith for Control
One of the most infamous examples of religious persecution was the Spanish Inquisition, established in 1478 by Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. The stated purpose of the Inquisition was to root out heresy and protect the Catholic faith, much like Trump’s justification for his task force. In practice, however, it became a mechanism for consolidating power, enforcing ideological purity, and targeting those deemed threats to the regime. Jews, Muslims, pagans, and even devout Christians who failed to conform to state-mandated religious doctrine were tortured, executed, or exiled.
If the goal of Trump’s task force is to investigate “anti-Christian bias” within the government, one must ask: what defines “anti-Christian bias?” And what happens to those who question Christian dominance? What about those who are atheist, Muslim, Jewish, or part of any other belief system? Are they now barred from working for the federal government? If history is any indication, the policing of religious bias can quickly devolve into persecution of those who do not conform to the dominant faith.
McCarthyism: A Non-Religious Example of Government Overreach
While the dangers of religious nationalism are significant, Trump’s task force also mirrors past non-religious government overreach, particularly the McCarthy era. During the 1950s, Senator Joseph McCarthy led a campaign against alleged communists in government, academia, and entertainment. Under the guise of protecting American democracy, McCarthyism resulted in blacklists, wrongful imprisonments, and the destruction of countless careers and reputations.
McCarthy’s accusations were often baseless. Like witch hunts, they relied on paranoia, hearsay and fabricated claims rather than concrete evidence. Similarly, a task force investigating “anti-Christian bias” could easily become a political weapon used to target ideological opponents (assuming that’s not what it’s actually designed for in the first place). Just as McCarthyism branded anyone with leftist leanings as a communist sympathizer, Trump’s task force could paint critics of Christian nationalism as enemies of the state.
The McCarthy era serves as a reminder of how dangerous government overreach can become when driven by ideological fervor rather than facts. It is crucial to recognize the similarities and resist any effort to revive such tactics under a different banner.
Iran’s Theocratic Rule: The Fate of Minority Religions Under Religious Governance
Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution provides another cautionary tale. When Ayatollah Khomeini took power, he established a theocratic regime that prioritized Islamic doctrine above all else. Those who opposed the religious government — whether politically, socially, or ideologically — were imprisoned, exiled, or executed. The government justified this repression under the pretext of protecting Islam from Western influences and domestic dissent.
While the United States has long prided itself on religious pluralism, the formation of an explicitly Christian-focused government task force with a mission to “eradicate” some vague and undefined category of “anti-Christian bias” will set a precedent where Christianity becomes the de facto state religion. This will fundamentally erode the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, which ensures that the government neither promotes nor inhibits any faith.
Dystopian Warnings: When Religion Becomes Law
History is not the only warning against the dangers of state-sponsored religious enforcement — dystopian literature has long explored what happens when religious extremism is embedded within the government.
“The Handmaid’s Tale”: The Theocratic Horror of Gilead
Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale depicts a dystopian America transformed into Gilead, a brutal theocracy where Christian fundamentalism is the law of the land. Women are stripped of autonomy, religious dissenters are executed, and the government justifies its oppression as necessary to preserve “Christian values.”
The novel (and TV series) serves as a chilling reminder of how governments can use religion to rationalize authoritarianism. While Trump’s task force is unlikely to turn America into Gilead overnight, it sets a dangerous precedent: once a government starts defining what constitutes “anti-Christian bias,” it gains the power to criminalize speech, activism, and dissent under the pretense of religious protection.
“Fahrenheit 451”: The Censorship of Dissenting Ideas
Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 explores a society where books are banned to prevent dissent. While the novel doesn’t focus on religion, it serves as a warning about censorship and the dangers of allowing the government to dictate acceptable thought.
If Trump’s task force begins investigating “anti-Christian bias,” will this lead to the suppression of books, media, and academic discussions that critique Christianity? Could scientists, journalists, and educators who discuss evolution, LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, or secular ethics be accused of fostering “anti-Christian” sentiment? These aren’t far-fetched concerns when religious nationalism is so clearly and quickly on the rise.
The Slide Toward Christian Nationalism and Authoritarianism
Trump’s move aligns with a broader trend of Christian nationalism in the United States, which seeks to merge national identity with Christian ideology. While the U.S. was founded on the principle of religious freedom, Christian nationalists argue that America is, and should be, a “Christian nation.” This ideology has already influenced policy decisions on abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and public education. The formation of a government entity to “eradicate anti-Christian bias” brings the country one step closer to codifying Christian supremacy.
The First Amendment at Risk
The First Amendment guarantees both freedom of religion and freedom from religion. A government task force focused on protecting one religious group, to the exclusion of others, threatens this balance. Historically, when governments begin prioritizing one faith over others, religious minorities become second-class citizens.
Trump’s supporters may argue that Christians face discrimination in modern America, pointing to “incidents” like businesses refusing service based on religious beliefs. However, the reality is that Christians still hold the most political and cultural power in the country. From legislative prayer to religious exemptions that allow businesses to discriminate against LGBTQ+ individuals, Christianity is deeply entrenched in American governance. The notion of widespread “anti-Christian bias” is a manufactured grievance designed to justify government intervention in ideological matters and the move toward Christian, oligarchical authoritarianism.
What Comes Next? The Danger of Normalization
While some may dismiss Trump’s task force as political posturing, history shows that authoritarian measures often begin as small, seemingly benign policies. The Nazi Party’s early laws restricted the rights of Jews before escalating into genocide. McCarthyism started with “anti-communist investigations” before spiraling into widespread blacklisting and persecution.
Once a government agency is empowered to investigate ideological biases, the scope of its power inevitably expands. Today, it is investigating “anti-Christian bias.” Tomorrow, it could be prosecuting secular activists, atheist groups, or anyone who questions Christian hegemony. The normalization of religious policing is a step toward autocracy.
The United States stands at a crossroads. The formation of a government task force to “eradicate anti-Christian bias” is not about protecting religious freedom — it is about solidifying Christian nationalism as an institutional force. This initiative echoes historical regimes that used religion as a pretext for authoritarian rule, and it mirrors the dystopian warnings of literature that foresees the dangers of religious control.
If America is to remain a democracy, citizens must challenge this erosion of the First Amendment. The fight against theocratic overreach is not just about protecting non-Christians — it is about safeguarding democracy itself. As history has shown, when governments start policing belief, freedom itself is at stake.
