'Counter to the message of Jesus': progressive Christians stake a claim to their religion amid Trump-pope feud [View all]

Source: The Guardian

Sat 25 Apr 2026 08.00 EDT
Last modified on Sat 25 Apr 2026 18.36 EDT


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 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.

According to Theoharis and others heralding the efforts of progressive and social justice-motivated Christians, more people are joining them. They want to stake a claim to a version of Christianity that’s in opposition to Trump’s and Hegseth’s.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/25/progressive-christians-religion-trump-pope