The Democratic Party is facing criticism for what some perceive as “anti-Christian” policies that are alienating religious voters, according to Catholic League President Bill Donohue. Former President Donald Trump is actively working to court Catholics and other Christians, with his campaign launching the “Catholics for Trump” coalition. Trump has been praised by conservative non-profit CatholicVote for his stance on protecting religious freedom and opposing the views of Vice President Kamala Harris, who is seen as hostile to Catholics and their beliefs.
President Biden, a Catholic, dropped out of the 2020 presidential race in July, which may benefit Harris as voters become more familiar with her policies. Donohue highlighted the issue of born-alive protection laws, where Democrats, including Biden and Harris, have shown support for allowing doctors to not help a child born as a result of a botched abortion. This stance is not in line with the views of most Americans and could impact how Catholic voters choose to vote.
Trump, in his 2016 election, secured the majority of the Catholic vote against Hillary Clinton. In the 2020 election, however, a higher percentage of Catholic voters supported Biden. Donohue emphasized the difference between practicing religious Catholics and those who no longer practice, noting that secular Catholics tend to lean more towards the Democratic Party. The Trump campaign’s efforts to engage with religious communities, such as launching the “Believers for Trump” coalition, aim to counter what they see as the Biden-Harris administration’s “anti-faith agenda”.
The GOP has evolved into the pro-life party, with Trump advocating for leaving abortion laws up to individual states following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. While Trump has faced criticism from some pro-life conservatives for his perceived softer stance on abortion, he maintains that states should have the authority to decide on related laws and issues. The former president has also faced backlash over comments he made about Florida’s abortion ban, but reaffirmed his position on letting states handle abortion regulations.
Recent years have seen an increase in anti-Catholic attacks, particularly following the Dobbs decision and reports of an FBI memo targeting traditional Catholics. Despite the challenges faced by Catholics, Donohue noted that some are finding a new anchor in the Republican Party, feeling abandoned by the Democrats. Trump’s efforts to endorse religious values, such as promoting the Ten Commandments in Louisiana schools, are seen as a way to uphold and revive religious beliefs in the public sphere. As the 2024 campaign trail continues, religious voters, including Catholics, may play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape and determining the candidates’ strategies.
