Donald Trump's second term: Christians in key roles

Donald Trump bas become President of the United States for the second time, and while he naturally takes the limelight, he has appointed several Christian influences in key positions around him.

Vice President J.D. Vance’s Catholic background is well-documented, but others with a more evangelical worldview include House Speaker Mike Johnson, Israel Ambassador Mike Huckabee, and Secretary of Defence nominee Pete Hegseth.

Johnson, previously a lawyer and a well-known evangelical, is a Southern Baptist and describes himself as a Bible-believing Christian. He holds conservative views on issues including same-sex marriage and abortion, and after his election as Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2023, making him next in line to the presidency after the Vice-President, he said: ‘God is the one that raises up those in authority … each of you, all of us.’

During an interview with Fox News, Johnson discussed his worldview, saying: ‘Someone asked me today in the media, they said: “People are curious. What does Mike Johnson think about any issue under the sun?” I said, well, go pick up a Bible off your shelf and read it. That’s my worldview. That’s what I believe, and I make no apologies for it.’

Another key ally for Trump in the coming period will be Israel Ambassador Mike Huckabee, who is an ordained Southern Baptist pastor. The former Governor of Arkansas encouraged Christians to vote during the recent presidential election, calling on them to prioritise abortion and Israel when making their choice, based on Biblical convictions about each issue.

He told CBN’s Wendy Griffith why being a Christian makes his political career easier: ‘I’ve had people that would say, I guess it’s really hard to be a Christian in politics. And I say, actually, it’s much easier and here’s why. I don’t have to wake up everyday and figure out what I need to believe because I know what I believe, and it may not be popular, it may not win me friends, it may even create some enemies. But I know where I stand and the reason I do is because I stand on the word of God and I stand on the principles that God is real and that His word, His direction, is more important than anything else in my life.’

Trump’s Secretary of Defence pick, Pete Hegseth, could be another Christian influence. The Fox News presenter and former Army National Guard officer has faith-themed tattoos, including a cross with a sword inside it, referring to a Bible verse from Matthew, and recently produced a documentary with his pastor, detailing stories from Jesus’ life on earth to remind society of ‘the reason for the (Christmas) season’.

Hegseth has spoken about how becoming a father made him realise how important it was to focus on the gospel. ‘I’ve got a bunch of kids, and you start to realise that the only thing that matters is introducing them to Jesus Christ,’ he said. ‘You spend so much time teaching them how to dribble a basketball or to love America, and those are all great, but they’re utterly insignificant.’