A comparison between President Donald Trump’s first year in office on the issue of religious liberty, and that of his predecessor, President Barack Obama, showed a considerable difference: religious rights spiked under Trump.
On February 1, 2017, Trump chose Judge Neil Gorsuch to take Antonin Scalia’s place on the U.S. Supreme Court. Gorsuch is a strong proponent of religious liberty, holding that conscience rights are paramount.
Trump endorsed school choice, championing the cause of tax incentives to businesses that fund private schools; he emphasized the need to help minorities.
An executive order on religious liberty was signed by Trump. It sent a clear message to his cabinet on how to proceed with such matters.
A bill to allow the states to strip funding from Planned Parenthood was signed into law by Trump. This encouraged several states to pass bills restricting abortion.
Trump authorized direct assistance to persecuted Christians in the Middle East.
As important as anything, a religious exemption to Obama’s HHS mandate was granted by Trump.
The religious elements of Christmas were celebrated at the White House. Under Obama, they were downplayed. In fact, an ornament depicting a mass murderer, Mao Zedong, was hung from a Christmas tree.
Obama chose several anti-Catholics to be in his administration; no bigots were selected by Trump.
