[Karah Rucker]
THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IS INVESTIGATING ANY INCIDENTS OF “ANTI-CHRISTIAN BIAS” WITHIN THE AGENCY.
THE EMAIL SENT TO STAFF MONDAY ASKS EMPLOYEES TO REPORT ANY INFORMAL POLICIES…PROCEDURES…OR ANY BEHAVIORS FROM FELLOW COLLEAGUES OR LEADERSHIP THAT THEY FEEL DISCRIMINATES AGAINST THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.
THE MEMO FALLS IN LINE WITH AN EXECUTIVE ORDER SIGNED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP IN FEBRUARY –
ORDERING THE SECRETARY OF THE VA – AMONG MORE THAN A DOZEN AGENCY HEADS – TO PARTAKE IN THE NEWLY FORMED FEDERAL “TASK FORCE TO ERADICATE ANTI-CHRISTIAN BIAS.”
THE ORDER STATING – “My Administration will not tolerate anti-Christian weaponization of government or unlawful conduct targeting Christians. The law protects the freedom of Americans and groups of Americans to practice their faith in peace, and my Administration will enforce the law and protect these freedoms. My Administration will ensure that any unlawful and improper conduct, policies, or practices that target Christians are identified, terminated, and rectified.”
THE EMAIL TO STAFF FROM THE VA SECRETARY DOUG COLLINS STATES THE TASK FORCE WILL REVIEW INSTANCES SUBMITTED BY PEERS OF PERCEIVED ANTI-CHRISTIAN DISCRIMINATION.
THE EMAIL INCLUDED EXAMPLES OF CONDUCT THIS WOULD APPLY TO:
ACCORDING TO THE MEMO OBTAINED BY THE BULWARK AMONG OTHER OUTLETS –
THE EMAIL SAID TO REPORT —
- “any examples of adverse actions taken in response to an accommodation request.”
- “any mistreatment or reprimand issued in response to displays of Christian imagery or symbols.”
- “any observations of mistreatment from not participating in events or activities inconsistent with Christian views.”
- “any adverse responses to requests for religious exemption under the previous vaccine mandates.”
NEWS OF THE INTERNAL MEMO WAS MET WITH CRITICISM FROM SOME DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS – LIKE SENATOR RICHARD BLUMENTHAL WHO POSTED ON X –
“While religious discrimination must be forbidden & fought, this internal VA memo lacks any factual basis or rationale. It raises the specter of dividing the veteran community & favoring some religions over others.”
AND THE ADVOCACY GROUP “AMERICANS UNITED” EXPRESSED ITS OPPOSITION TO THE FORMATION OF THE TASK FORCE –
STATING “This is part of the Christian Nationalist crusade to remake our country. Not on our watch. Americans United and our hundreds of thousands of supporters across the country will not stop fighting for church-state separation until this nation lives up to its promise of freedom without favor and equality without exception.”
THE ORDER FROM THE TRUMP WHITE HOUSE TO ADDRESS BIAS AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CHRISTIANS –
IS SIMILAR TO AN ORDER FROM THE BIDEN WHITE HOUSE – ADDRESSING BIAS AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MUSLIM AND ARAB AMERICANS.
IN ITS PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCING ITS “STRATEGY TO COUNTER ISLAMOPHOBIA AND ANTI-ARAB HATE” –
ONE OF ITS PRIORITIES IS TACKLING “discrimination against Muslims and Arabs and appropriately accommodate their religious practices. More agencies are making it clear that discrimination against Muslim and Arab Americans in federally funded activities is illegal, and the Administration has instituted new practices to accommodate religion and produced a wide range of resources and trainings on nondiscrimination and religious freedom.”
[Karah Rucker]
CABINET MEMBERS OF THE NEWLY ALIGNED “ANTI-CHRISTIAN BIAS TASK FORCE” MET THIS WEEK FOR ITS LAUNCH AND FIRST CABINET MEETING.
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ARGUES THE TASK FORCE WON’T FAVOR CHRISTIANITY OVER ANOTHER RELIGION –
BUT RATHER ROOT OUT ANY INSTANCES OF ANTI-CHRISTIAN DISCRIMINATION THEY SAY WAS ALLOWED UNDER THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.
HERE’S WHAT ATTORNEY GENERAL PAM BONDI SAID AT THE MEETING.
[Pam Bondi]
“The first amendment right isn’t just a line in the constitution. Its the cornerstone of our american liberty. It guarantees every citizen the right to speak freely, worship freely, and live according to their conscious without government interference. Protecting christians from bias isn’t favoritism, its upholding the rule of law and upholding the constitutional promise.”
[Karah Rucker]
THE TASK FORCE WILL DISSOLVE AFTER TWO YEARS – UNLESS THE EXECUTIVE ORDER IS EXTENDED BY TRUMP.
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