Former President Donald Trump has pledged to grant faith leaders direct access to him in the Oval Office if he secures another term in office.
During the National Faith Summit in Powder Springs, Georgia, last Monday, Trump announced his intention to revive the Faith Office he established during his first presidency, highlighting the importance of religion in American society.
In response to a question from moderator Paula White-Cain about the future of the faith office, Trump detailed his plans for direct communication. “We’re going to set that up and engage with you and others you believe are appropriate,” he said. “It’s crucial, and it will connect directly to the Oval Office.”
White-Cain, who managed the faith office during Trump’s final year in office, echoed his commitment. “As the president just said, the faith office will be located in the Oval Office and will report directly to him, reflecting his dedication to strengthening faith across all communities,” she stated.
Recently, Trump announced that Dr. Benjamin Carson, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, would serve as the national faith chairman for his campaign. In his announcement, Trump criticized the current administration, claiming it has waged a “war on America’s faith community” and noted that Carson is well-suited to work with faith leaders to protect religious freedom.
Carson expressed his honor at the appointment, stating, “There is only one candidate in this race who has defended religious liberty and supported Americans of faith—Donald J. Trump.”
Last December, Trump revealed plans to form a task force aimed at combating anti-Christian bias, vowing to investigate discrimination against Christians in America. “Americans of faith are not a threat; they are the soul of our country,” he remarked.
Despite these efforts, a recent survey by researcher George Barna found that millions of Christians do not intend to vote in the upcoming election. Among those not voting, 68% cited a lack of interest in policies, while 57% expressed dissatisfaction with all major candidates. Half of those surveyed indicated that election controversies influenced their decision to abstain from the ballot box.