What to do about Trump

Politics should not dominate the lives of Christians, but sometimes political events compel a response. At those times, even while we continue to show respect for our brothers and sisters who view the situation differently, balance or silence constitutes complicity.

Christians almost universally admire the courage and integrity that Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and others showed in the 1930s and 1940s. In doing so, they acknowledge that sometimes God calls us to speak up fearlessly. I lack the stature or eloquence of Barth and Bonhoeffer, but in these unusual times, I feel compelled to follow their model.

Many Christians, both in the United States and elsewhere, were pleased to see Donald Trump win re-election in November 2024. That preference is understandable. Supporters consistently cite several concerns, which are shared by many Christians:

• Illegal immigration and associated crime
• Religious freedom
• Traditional values on sexuality and marriage
• Government spending and debt

I do not wish to criticize those who felt Trump was the best option available in the November 2024 election. However, no policy ends justify the means that have been used in pursuit of those ends since January 20, 2025. As I explained here, Christians may disagree on policy issues, but they should not disagree on support for basic human rights, including freedom of speech.

• Pardon violent offenders
• Cut off global humanitarian aid without warning
• Humiliate a courageous Ukrainian leader
• Anger friendly countries with threats of annexation, contrary to international agreements regarding respect for national borders
• Disturb the US and other countries’ economies with erratic tariff policies
• Deport people without normal due process of law
• Use his authority and position to seek retribution against lawyers, judges, media sources, and universities he does not like

Christians who continue to support Donald Trump should reflect on the possible long-term implications of this support for the kingdom of God. Specifically, there is now a widespread perception that a man who exhibits such open disdain and disrespect for others, and who has already caused enormous damage to the international community, is doing so thanks to crucial support from evangelical Christians.

We should show grace and sensitivity to those (including many Christians) who, often for honorable reasons, have sought to participate in or collaborate with the Trump administration. For many of them, expressing a different view now would involve significant personal and professional risk.

But we must also implore them to assess the situation honestly and help to put an end to the present madness and its negative worldwide consequences.

This authoritarian chapter of US history will end badly, as a previous one did 70 years ago. I believe that future generations will look back on some Christians’ unquestioning support of Trump much as we today look back with incredulity on earlier Christians’ support of slavery.

Christians outside the US can assist the recovery process by urging their countries and organizations with which they are associated not to appease the Trump administration.

As Mark Tooley explains, weaker nations can often help to restrain dominating powers through courageous resistance. Such resistance could entail economic and other forms of suffering, but submission to authoritarian impulses never produces good results.

Let us pray for healing within the body of Christ, for protection for those negatively impacted by recent events, for those with whom we disagree, and for Christians to be a light to the world in these unusual times.

Bruce Barron, author or coauthor of seven books on religion and politics and a former US congressional aide, was editor of the World Evangelical Alliance’s theology journal from 2018 to 2024. Subscribe to his blog at brucebarron.substack.com.