Trump’s Christian Nationalist Allies Amplify Administration Propaganda Amid ICE Controversy

President Donald Trump’s administration continues to receive steadfast support from white evangelical leaders and Christian nationalist organizations despite growing controversy surrounding recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minneapolis. This unwavering support comes in the wake of the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti during ICE operations, incidents that have sparked national outrage and scrutiny.

Following the killings, Trump administration officials faced criticism for their characterization of events, with some conservatives condemning what they viewed as dishonest narratives about the victims. However, many religious-right figures have actively promoted the administration’s version of events, effectively functioning as an unofficial public relations arm for the White House.

Gary Bauer, a longtime religious-right activist, shared unsubstantiated claims from the Department of Homeland Security that Pretti, a Veterans Affairs ICU nurse, intended to “massacre law enforcement.” Bauer later described the situation in Minneapolis as “a well-organized insurrection,” echoing administration rhetoric.

Similarly, MAGA activist Sean Feucht has used his social media platforms to advance pro-ICE narratives, framing the situation as a “propaganda war” rather than addressing the documented concerns about enforcement tactics.

Eric Metaxas, a prominent evangelical author and radio host known for his devotion to Trump, went further by labeling Pretti “a soldier of the Marxist left” and characterizing resistance to ICE operations as “an attack on the nation.” He suggested America is experiencing a civil war, language that has alarmed community advocates who view such rhetoric as dangerous escalation.

This support extends beyond individual voices to organized networks. The National Faith Advisory Board, established by Trump adviser Paula White Cain after the 2020 election, continues to function as a conduit for administration messaging. In a recent email, the organization described ICE agents as “American heroes” while promoting the administration’s immigration enforcement priorities.

Intercessors for America, a network of self-described “prayer warriors,” regularly distributes materials that frame administration policies in religious terms. A recent prayer guide urged followers to pray “for an end to the anti-ICE chaos in America” while characterizing legitimate protests as “propaganda and outright lies causing much confusion and chaos.”

The organization’s messaging goes beyond immigration to encompass broader political objectives, including prayers for “the complete removal of all the infrastructures that are adverse to God’s design” – language that some religious scholars view as concerning for its blending of theological concepts with specific political agendas.

The relationship between the Trump administration and Hispanic evangelical leaders has become particularly strained amid the intensified immigration enforcement. Samuel Rodriguez, leader of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), previously assured his followers that Trump’s immigration policies would target only “mucho malo hombres” and not long-settled families.

However, that promise has been tested as ICE operations have expanded. During a recent NHCLC call, a Minneapolis pastor reported that ICE raids were “traumatizing” their community, with church attendance dropping by 80 percent as congregants fear attendance might expose them to enforcement actions.

Rep. Elvira Salazar, who joined the call, criticized the administration’s reported deportation quota of 3,000 people per day, saying many Hispanic Trump voters “feel that they were deceived.” Despite this, NHCLC leadership continues to maintain public support for the administration while expressing “consternation” privately.

Market analysts note that this alliance between the Trump administration and evangelical leaders reflects a sophisticated political strategy that has proven effective at maintaining support among key voting blocs despite policy controversies. The religious messaging surrounding immigration enforcement demonstrates how political narratives can be reframed through theological language to maintain constituency support.

As protests continue in Minneapolis and other cities, the role of religious organizations in either challenging or supporting administration policies remains a significant factor in how communities respond to immigration enforcement actions. The continued backing from Christian nationalist figures provides the administration with a valuable buffer against criticism, even as evidence mounts of enforcement practices that contradict earlier promises to target only those with serious criminal histories.