In a sweeping series of executive actions, President Trump has moved to reshape federal policy on several key social issues.
From pardoning pro-life activists to reinforcing religious freedom protections to authorizing raids within churches, these actions represent a significant shift in federal policy.
Positive Actions
Here are five of the more positive actions you should know about that Trump took during his first week in office.
1. Pardoning of Pro-Life Activists
Trump granted pardons to 10 pro-life activists convicted for their involvement in a 2020 clinic blockade in Washington, DC. The activists were charged with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, a 1994 law designed to prevent obstruction of and threats against abortion clinics. The pardoned individuals had been sentenced to significant prison terms for their peaceful protest, which involved blocking the doors of an abortion clinic. In signing these pardons, Trump declared it “a great honor” and stated that these pro-life advocates “should not have been prosecuted.”
These actions represent a significant shift in federal policy.
These pardons recognize the role of nonviolent civil disobedience in effecting social change. While respecting the rule of law, the pardons also show compassion for those who acted out of moral conviction. As believers, we can rejoice in this decision that not only frees these dedicated pro-life advocates but also reinforces the importance of standing firm in our faith and values. It encourages all Christians to continue advocating for the protection of the unborn and to support those who make personal sacrifices in defense of life.
2. Limiting Gender Ideology Extremism
This order directs federal agencies to adopt policies that recognize biological sex as immutable and determined at birth. It prohibits federal funding for programs or initiatives that promote gender ideology, particularly those that allow biological males to compete in women’s sports or access women-only spaces. The order also mandates that federal documents, such as passports and birth certificates, reflect biological sex rather than self-identified gender.
The order firmly rejects the ideological framework that denies biological reality, ensuring federal policies align with the truth of God’s created order. It protects women and girls from the harms of gender ideology, particularly in sports and safe spaces. However, it doesn’t address private-sector policies or state-level legislation, leaving room for continued debate and activism.
This order is a significant step toward upholding the biblical understanding of gender as a God-given reality (Gen. 1:27). It affirms the dignity of women by safeguarding their opportunities and protecting their privacy. Additionally, it challenges the cultural narrative that denies the goodness of God’s design, offering a countercultural witness to the truth.
3. Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation
Trump issued an executive order that prohibits the use of federal funds for any medical interventions that seek to alter the sex of minors, including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical procedures. The order also directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to investigate and penalize healthcare providers who perform such procedures on minors and mandates that federal agencies promote public awareness of the long-term physical and psychological harms associated with these interventions.
The move is a strong stand against the medicalization of gender dysphoria in children, ensuring taxpayer dollars aren’t used to fund irreversible and harmful treatments on children and teens. However, it doesn’t ban these procedures at the state level or in the private sector, which means we must continue to advocate for legislation that will fully protect our children.
4. Enforcing the Hyde Amendment
An executive order was issued to reinforce the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funding for abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or danger to the mother’s life. It directs all federal agencies to ensure compliance with the Hyde Amendment and imposes strict oversight to prevent taxpayer dollars from funding elective abortions.
The order strengthens enforcement of existing pro-life protections, ensuring federal funds aren’t used to subsidize the abortion industry. However, it doesn’t expand the Hyde Amendment’s scope or address state-level abortion funding. It also maintains vague exceptions that many pro-life advocates find morally problematic.
By preventing taxpayer dollars from funding abortions, this order aligns federal policy with the reality that life begins at conception. While the exceptions remain a concern, this order is a step toward a culture that values every human life as made in God’s image (Ps. 139:13–16).
5. Directing Federal Agencies to Prioritize Religious Liberty
Trump issued a memorandum to the secretary of state, the secretary of defense, the secretary of health and human services, and the administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), directing those federal agencies to prioritize policies that protect religious freedom domestically and abroad.
The memo instructs the State Department to advocate for international religious freedom, particularly for persecuted Christians, and mandates that USAID programs don’t fund organizations that violate religious liberty. Additionally, it ensures military chaplains and healthcare providers aren’t compelled to act against their religious beliefs.
The memo strengthens protections for religious freedom, ensuring federal policies respect the conscience rights of individuals and organizations. It also positions the United States as a global advocate for persecuted believers.
Religious freedom is foundational to the church’s flourishing and the spread of the gospel. This memorandum affirms the right of Christians to live out their faith without fear of government coercion and serves as a reminder that we must stand with persecuted believers worldwide.
Controversial Actions That Raise Concerns
Mixed with these positive developments were some actions that are concerning for many evangelicals.
For instance, Trump issued an order to suspend the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) “until such time as the further entry into the United States of refugees aligns with the interests of the United States.” The reversal (Trump once supported the program) is already affecting the work of several Christian aid organizations.
For example, World Relief received a notice from the State Department instructing them to “stop all work” under the grant agreement that provides initial resettlement support to newly arrived refugees for the first several months of their lives in the United States. Last year, about 30,000 Christian refugees from the 50 countries where religious persecution watchdog Open Doors US says that Christians face the most severe persecution in the world were resettled in the United States. A 2024 Lifeway Research study found that 71 percent of evangelical Christians believe the United States has a moral responsibility to receive refugees.
Trump also issued an order that would overturn birthright citizenship. This order is likely to be overturned by the courts since it’s a clear violation of the 14th Amendment, which states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
A directive by the Department of Homeland Security also now allows authorities to enter churches, schools, and healthcare facilities to enforce immigration laws. This has led some Christian leaders to fear how it’ll be enforced.
“No church that I’m aware of harbors criminal actors, whether they’re here legally or illegally, and no church leader wants that,” said Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. “President Trump is right to fix our broken immigration system—something we’ve long called for—but it must be done without turning churches into wards of the state or expecting pastors to ask for papers of people coming through their doors.
Call to Thoughtful Engagement
Trump’s first-week actions represent significant changes to federal policy that have drawn both strong support and serious concerns from Christians. While some celebrate the measures protecting religious freedom and promoting pro-life policies, others worry about the danger of stricter immigration enforcement in churches and the suspension of refugee programs that have long been supported by faith-based organizations.
As Jesus’s followers engage with these policies, we should strive to consider the full scope of their effects on different communities. We should evaluate policies through the lenses of both our theological convictions and their practical effects, rather than mere partisan principles. And in all cases, we should continue advocating for solutions that uphold human dignity.
While these executive actions mark a significant moment in American policy, their lasting influence will ultimately depend on thoughtful dialogue, careful implementation, and continued engagement from people of faith working toward justice and compassion in our country.
The Gospel Coalition