President Trump’s Top 100 Victories for People of Faith
Action Summary
- Protecting Religious Liberty: Established the White House Faith Office; created Centers for Faith in every department, the Religious Liberty Commission, and a Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias; issued executive orders repealing regulations violating religious liberty; supported faith-based schools and protected religious expression in federal settings.
- Fighting Anti-Semitism: Launched a DOJ Task Force against anti-Semitism; investigated universities for failing to protect Jewish students; held institutions accountable for discrimination; and condemned anti-Semitic terrorism.
- Ending Weaponization of Government & Promoting Free Speech: Issued orders to end federal misuse against people of faith and restore free speech; combated debanking based on political or religious beliefs; and established a Weaponization Working Group to investigate government overreach.
- Honoring Religious Days of Remembrance: Hosted events and issued proclamations celebrating key religious observances and heritage months, including the National Day of Prayer, Easter, Passover, and Holocaust Remembrance.
- Affirming Faith in America: Opened cabinet meetings in prayer; championed the idea of a nation under God; and emphasized religious liberty as a bedrock of American society.
- Expanding School Choice & Protecting Parental Rights: Issued orders to support school choice and parental rights, including closing the Department of Education and ending radical indoctrination and COVID-19 vaccine mandates in schools.
- Protecting Women’s Sports: Implemented policies to keep men out of women’s sports; coordinated Title IX investigations and enforcement actions to shield female athletes.
- Restoring Biological Truth: Issued executive orders affirming the two-sex model; protected children from chemical and surgical practices related to gender transition; and challenged transgender care policies.
- Ending Taxpayer Funding for Abortion: Mandated enforcement of the Hyde Amendment; reinstated the Mexico City Policy; and eliminated federal funding for abortion services both domestically and internationally.
- Valuing Life & Empowering Women: Promoted pro-life messages at national events; supported legislation enhancing family benefits, tax credits, and measures to defund abortion providers; and advanced protections for children and families against online exploitation.
- Strengthening Our Military: Reinstated discharged service members over COVID-19 mandates; issued orders to enhance military readiness and eliminate discrimination; and removed policies accommodating gender dysphoria in service.
- Ending DEI Initiatives: Executed orders to terminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs; dissolved the White House Gender Policy Council; and directed agencies to cease promoting gender ideology.
- Protecting the Supreme Court: Ended Biden-era initiatives related to court reforms and left-wing judicial ideas.
- Promoting American Values: Planned grand celebrations for America’s history; directed policies to restore American flag prominence and align foreign aid and NGO funding with U.S. interests; and took steps to remove radical ideology from cultural institutions.
- Supporting Israel: Appointed staunch pro-Israel leaders; maintained unwavering support during conflicts with Hamas; facilitated hostage releases; imposed sanctions on international bodies undermining Israel; and reoriented U.S. participation in international organizations.
Risks & Considerations
- The executive orders and actions taken by President Trump emphasize religious liberty and school choice, which could lead to increased competition among educational institutions, including Vanderbilt University. This may require strategic adjustments to maintain competitiveness and attract a diverse student body.
- The focus on ending DEI programs and restoring “biological truth” could impact Vanderbilt’s policies and initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The university may need to reassess its DEI strategies to align with federal directives while maintaining its commitment to an inclusive campus environment.
- Changes in federal funding priorities, particularly the defunding of abortion providers and the emphasis on pro-family measures, could affect research funding and partnerships for Vanderbilt’s medical and public health programs.
- The emphasis on religious liberty and the establishment of faith-based offices in federal agencies may present opportunities for collaboration with faith-based organizations, but could also necessitate careful navigation of religious and secular interests within the university community.
- Vanderbilt may need to consider the implications of the executive orders on its international programs and partnerships, particularly in light of the U.S. withdrawal from certain international organizations and the focus on aligning foreign aid with American interests.
Impacted Programs
- Vanderbilt’s Office of Religious Life may need to engage with new federal initiatives focused on religious liberty and faith-based partnerships, potentially expanding its role in supporting religious diversity on campus.
- Peabody College of Education and Human Development could see changes in research and policy focus due to the emphasis on school choice and parental rights, necessitating adjustments in curriculum and outreach efforts.
- The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion may face challenges in maintaining its programs and initiatives in light of federal actions against DEI policies, requiring strategic planning to uphold the university’s values.
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center might experience shifts in funding and research priorities, particularly concerning reproductive health and pro-life measures, impacting its healthcare services and community outreach.
Financial Impact
- The reallocation of federal funds towards faith-based and pro-family initiatives could impact Vanderbilt’s funding landscape, necessitating adjustments in grant application strategies and partnerships.
- Vanderbilt may need to explore alternative funding sources to support its DEI and reproductive health programs, given the potential reduction in federal support for these areas.
- Opportunities may arise for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research and development in educational policy and religious liberty, particularly through collaborations with federal agencies and faith-based organizations.
- The university’s international programs and partnerships may be affected by changes in U.S. foreign policy and funding priorities, requiring strategic adjustments to maintain global engagement and collaboration.
Relevance Score: 4 (The executive orders present a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs and policies at Vanderbilt University.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should closely monitor changes in federal policies regarding religious liberty and school choice. Engaging with policymakers to understand the implications of these changes can help the university align its programs and policies with new federal guidelines.
- The Department of Political Science should conduct research on the impact of the executive orders on educational choice and religious liberty. This research can provide valuable insights into how these policies affect educational equity and community dynamics, enhancing Vanderbilt’s role as a thought leader in education policy.
- Vanderbilt’s Financial Aid Office should assess the potential impact of expanded educational choice on student demographics and financial aid needs. Understanding these shifts will be essential for adapting financial aid strategies to attract and support a diverse student body.
- The Peabody College of Education and Human Development should explore opportunities to expand research and development of educational choice models. By leveraging its expertise in education policy and reform, Peabody can contribute to the design and evaluation of effective educational choice programs.
- Vanderbilt’s Center for Child and Family Policy should engage in policy analysis and advocacy regarding the emphasis on supporting low-income and working families through block grants. Providing evidence-based recommendations can influence how these funds are allocated and used to support educational equity and access.
Opportunities
- The executive orders present an opportunity for Vanderbilt to develop new programs and partnerships with private and faith-based educational institutions. This could include joint research initiatives, student exchange programs, and collaborative curriculum development, enhancing Vanderbilt’s reputation and reach in the education sector.
- By engaging with the broader educational community and policymakers, Vanderbilt can position itself as a leader in the national conversation on educational reform. Hosting conferences, workshops, and public forums on the implications of educational choice policies can further establish Vanderbilt as a hub for innovative educational thought and practice.
- The focus on religious liberty and school choice aligns with Vanderbilt’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. The university can develop targeted outreach and support programs for students from diverse religious backgrounds, enhancing their educational opportunities and success.
Relevance Score: 4 (The executive orders present the potential for major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s programs due to impacts on educational choice and religious liberty.)
Timeline for Implementation
N/A
No specific deadlines or implementation timeframes are mentioned in the article; it primarily highlights actions already taken without future timelines.
Relevance Score: 1
Impacted Government Organizations
- White House (Faith Office and Domestic Policy Council): The White House established a dedicated Faith Office in the West Wing and directed the Domestic Policy Council to implement multiple faith-related initiatives.
- Religious Liberty Commission: Created to secure and promote religious liberty for Americans across all faiths.
- Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias: A specific task force established to address and combat bias against Christians.
- Department of Justice (DOJ): Involved in supporting religious charter schools, restricting certain legal actions, launching working groups, and pursuing litigation actions related to anti-Semitism and other issues.
- U.S. Supreme Court: Cited in decisions and supported policies regarding religious freedom, parental rights, and free speech matters.
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM): Issued guidance to support religious accommodations and the protection of religious expression in the federal workplace.
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Launched investigations and issued reports concerning healthcare worker conscience rights and the impacts of gender transition procedures on minors.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Rescinded policies restricting military chaplains’ speech and adjusted funding practices related to abortion.
- Small Business Administration (SBA): Eliminated previous restrictions on disaster relief for faith-based organizations.
- Department of Education: Actively involved in investigations on anti-Semitic discrimination, enforcing Title VI violations, and directing removal of DEI programming in schools.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Held workshops on “The Dangers of ‘Gender-Affirming Care’ for Minors,” expanding its regulatory role.
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Its Commissioner was directed to review mifepristone, impacting the regulation of abortion drugs.
- Department of Defense (DoD): Implicated through policy changes affecting service members, including ending reimbursements for abortion-related travel expenses.
- State Department: Instituted the “One Flag Policy” at U.S. embassies and aligned foreign aid programs with American interests.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Adjusted its public health communication regarding abortion by suggesting “adoption” as an alternative search result.
- U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council: Appointed new leadership to ensure remembrance and education on the Holocaust as part of a broader strategy to preserve historical legacy.
Relevance Score: 5 (A broad directive impacting 16 or more government organizations across multiple departments and functions.)
Responsible Officials
- President Donald J. Trump – Initiator of multiple executive orders and directives, responsible for establishing commissions, offices (e.g., the White House Faith Office), and task forces.
- Domestic Policy Council – Oversees implementation of the White House Faith Office and related faith-based initiatives directly reporting to the President.
- Department of Justice – Charged with launching and implementing directives such as the Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, enforcement actions on religious liberty, and investigations related to government weaponization.
- Department of Education – Responsible for executing directives on school choice, Title IX investigations, removal of DEI programming, and ensuring parental rights regarding education.
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management – Implements federal workplace guidance on religious accommodations and protections.
- Department of Health and Human Services – Tasked with investigating violations of conscience rights in healthcare, managing reports on gender transition treatments, and adjusting federal guidance on related health policies.
- Department of Veterans Affairs – Executes directives such as rescinding policies that impact military chaplains and related faith-based directives.
- Small Business Administration – Implements the elimination of bans affecting disaster relief for faith-based organizations.
- State Department – Oversees directives related to foreign aid alignment, the “One Flag Policy” at embassies, and diplomatic appointments (e.g., Ambassador to Israel).
- FDA Commissioner (Martin Makary) – Responsible for conducting policy reviews of drugs such as mifepristone as directed.
- Department of Defense – Through initiatives like Operation Midnight Hammer, this department is implicated in directives related to military excellence and readiness.
- Vice President – Tasked with responsibilities such as restoring narrative accuracy in historical representations as directed by the President.
Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect top-level and Cabinet officials across multiple major federal agencies and offices.)
