‘Counter to the message of Jesus’: progressive Christians stake a claim to their religion amid Trump-pope feud

The Trump administration has long tried to wrap itself in Christianity, with Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary, invoking warfare “in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus Christ”. Trump even recently posted an AI image of himself as a Christ-like figure (later claiming he thought it was a doctor) and streamed himself reading the Bible.

But in reality, faith leaders have been some of the loudest and most consistent voices organizing against the administration’s policies.

Since the first time Trump was in office, Christian and Catholic groups have protested the militarization of ICE in American communities, provided physical shelter to migrants, hosted vigils and coordinated mutual aid. They are outraged by the administration waging war in the name of Christianity and are mobilizing “as an expression of their faith”, said Rev Dr Liz Theoharis, founder and executive director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights and Social Justice.

“One of the things that was pretty stunning and pretty clear from the very beginning of this Trump administration is how hungry people are to hear faith voices and to see faith leaders pushing back against this heretical theology and the weaponization of faith,” said Theoharis. “People are demanding both – to push back against this horrible theology and to live their faith in the public square.”