As professed-Catholic President Joe Biden exits the White House, it is President-elect Donald Trump—who identifies as a non-denominational Christian and was raised Presbyterian—who may usher in the most Catholic presidency in modern history.
Biden is only the second Catholic to hold the presidency, behind President John F. Kennedy. I previously wrote about how Biden's presidency may be remembered for his failure to align his actions with the Catholic Church's teachings, tarnishing his legacy, and potentially undermining the Church's moral authority:
When the leader of the free world, who claims to be Catholic, makes decisions that diverge so far from Church doctrine, it sends a confusing and damaging message to the 1.3 billion Catholics around the world about what the faith truly stands for.
If Biden’s presidency were to be remembered for one thing beyond the policies of his administration, it may well be his legacy as a poor example of Catholic leadership. While modern governments come and go, the history of the Catholic Church spans millennia, and the legacy of misaligned actions rooted in moral compromise could linger far longer than any political tenure. Biden’s failure to align his actions with Catholic teachings will likely be remembered as a lasting disservice to the Church, especially considering the weight of its moral authority as a global institution.
Meanwhile, Trump’s growing popularity among Latinos contributed to his surge with Catholic voters. In November, he captured 59 percent of Catholic support, up from 50 percent in 2016. In contrast, Biden narrowly won the Catholic vote in 2020, with 52 percent, according to exit polls.
Trump has already tapped over a dozen Catholics for senior positions in his administration, including Vice President-elect JD Vance, a Catholic convert, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Marco Rubio nominated for Secretary of State. These appointments reflect a shift within the Republican Party, where Catholic influence is becoming more prominent, particularly among conservative Catholics who align with Trump’s policies.
Other Catholics nominated by Trump:
- Lori Chavez-DeRemer – Secretary of Labor
- Sean Duffy – Secretary of Transportation
- Linda McMahon – Secretary of Education
- Elise Stefanik – United Nations Ambassador
- Kelly Loeffler – Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA)
- John Ratcliffe – Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
At the intersection of MAGA and Mother Mary lies a family-centered social policy. Catholic doctrine on human dignity asserts that the welfare of the family is central to the well-being of society, and this principle is increasingly reflected in the GOP’s platform. Republican efforts to promote pro-family policies, support parental rights, and secure school choice speak directly to the values deeply embedded in Catholic thought.
The Republican Party has seen growing interest in using government incentives to promote family creation. For example, Trump has advocated for a “significant” expansion of the child tax credit, with Vance proposing it be increased to $5,000 per child.
This realignment reflects movement within the pro-life community in the post-Roe era. As the political abortion crisis evolves with authority returning to the states and the issue simmering down from its previous intensity, public opinion on abortion access remains divided, prompting many to turn their focus toward family-centered solutions.
Related:
Trump Should Pardon These Pro-Lifers and Repeal the FACE Act
Additionally, this shift is unfolding as the country faces social and cultural issues like gender identity politics, declining birth rates, and the growing influence of technology, social media, and artificial intelligence. There is also increasing concern over bioethics in medicine, especially around issues like genetic editing and reproductive technologies, which contrast traditional Catholic views.
As Trump’s connections with Catholic social teaching continue to strengthen, Biden's legacy may be defined not by his faith, but by his divergence from it. While the Trump administration may not fully align with the Church's teachings, especially on issues like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and immigration, there is a clear recognition of a fundamental truth:
We must rediscover and embrace a deeper, more profound understanding of human dignity and purpose. And that will Make America Great Again.
