Analysis: Trump Administration Pushes U.S. Closer to Christian Nationalism

Americans have long heard about the separation of church and state, but under President Donald Trump, religion and government are becoming increasingly intertwined.

At the recent funeral for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Trump called the gathering “an old-time revival,” with top officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and members of Trump’s Cabinet, openly embracing Christian themes. Vance called Kirk a “warrior for Christ” and urged Americans to live with Christ at the center of their lives. Rubio delivered a sermon ending with a reference to the Second Coming, while White House adviser Stephen Miller declared, “We are on the side of God.”

This open embrace of religion in government reflects elements of Christian nationalism, the belief that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation and that Christianity should guide its laws. The Trump administration has advanced policies reflecting this idea, from protecting prayer in schools to allowing pastors to endorse political candidates without risking tax-exempt status.

The Department of Justice now hosts a Religious Liberty Commission, and the Office of Management and Budget has permitted proselytizing in the federal workplace. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has even organized prayer services at the Pentagon, featuring pastors linked to Christian nationalist movements.

Pastor Douglas Wilson, a self-described Christian nationalist profiled by CNN, has advocated for the U.S. to become a Christian theocracy and has ties to Hegseth. His presence underscores how these ideas are moving closer to mainstream political spaces.

Polling suggests views on Christian nationalism vary widely. The Public Religion Research Institute found in 2024 that about 30 percent of Americans either adhere to or sympathize with Christian nationalism, with higher support in Southern states and much lower levels in more liberal regions.

The growing presence of religious ideology in political discourse raises ongoing questions about whether the U.S. is shifting away from its constitutional principles of separation between church and state.

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.