In his second term as President of the United States, Donald Trump appears to be embracing a more overtly religious agenda, further cementing his support from evangelical Christians and conservative faith leaders. Once known for his ambiguous relationship with religion, Trump now speaks with newfound conviction about his faith, particularly after surviving an assassination attempt on the campaign trail.

At a prayer breakfast at the U.S. Capitol this week, Trump declared, “We have to bring religion back. Let’s bring God back into our lives.” His administration is making moves that align with this vision, leading many to speculate that faith-based governance will play a central role in his leadership moving forward.

One of the most striking moves in Trump’s faith-forward approach has been the creation of a “Faith Office” within the White House. This initiative, led by televangelist Paula White, a longtime spiritual advisor to Trump, signals the administration’s intent to weave religious values into policymaking. White, who gained national attention in 2020 for a viral prayer session calling for divine intervention in Trump’s favor, will be at the forefront of faith-based initiatives in the administration.

Trump’s embrace of evangelical leaders extends beyond White. Several high-profile figures in his administration, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, have strong connections to Christian nationalist movements. These ties raise questions about the extent to which Trump’s policies will be shaped by faith-based conservatism.

While Trump has long enjoyed unwavering support from evangelical voters, his personal relationship with faith has been complex. Despite past scandals—including a conviction in a hush-money case involving a porn star—Trump’s Christian supporters have remained steadfast.

The former real estate mogul, who once sold Trump-branded Bibles for $60 on the campaign trail, was confirmed as a Presbyterian but later described himself as “non-denominational.” Unlike his predecessor, Joe Biden, a devout Catholic, Trump has rarely been seen attending church services. However, his near-death experience at a Pennsylvania rally in 2024 appears to have deeply influenced his outlook.

“It changed something in me,” he told the audience at the prayer breakfast. “I believed in God, but I feel much more strongly about it.”

Alongside the formation of the Faith Office, Trump’s administration has launched a task force under Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate what he calls the “persecution” of Christians in the United States. While details remain scarce, the move is likely to be welcomed by conservative Christians who believe their values are under attack in the country’s shifting cultural landscape.

At the same time, Trump has taken steps to reinforce conservative values through policy. Since his inauguration, he has signed executive orders challenging progressive causes, including diversity mandates, transgender rights, and abortion access. He also reaffirmed his commitment to pro-life policies, sending a video message to a major anti-abortion rally in Washington, D.C.

Perhaps most controversially, Trump has surrounded himself with figures who have ties to the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement, a Christian nationalist group that seeks to bring government and society under biblical rule. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Paula White have both been linked to the movement, which has drawn criticism for its dominionist ideology.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is affiliated with the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), a group that has been accused of advocating for a return to biblical law. Some in the movement have even questioned women’s right to vote, although Trump himself has not voiced support for such views.

Trump’s embrace of faith-based governance raises questions: Is this a genuine spiritual transformation or a political strategy to solidify his base? His shift toward a more religious tone comes at a time when evangelicals remain a crucial voting bloc for Republicans. Many Christians see Trump as an imperfect but divinely chosen leader, a sentiment that was reinforced by his survival of the assassination attempt.

Regardless of motivation, Trump’s second-term agenda appears to be deeply intertwined with religious conservatism. With his “God Squad” taking on key leadership roles, the administration’s policies will likely continue to reflect the priorities of faith-based voters.

As Trump himself put it, “Let’s bring God back into our lives.” Whether this vision unites or divides the nation remains to be seen.