Justice Department Task Force Criticizes Biden Administration’s Treatment of Christians
WASHINGTON – A recent report from a Justice Department task force indicates that the Biden administration conducted extensive investigations and imposed penalties on Christians who adhere to traditional biblical views. The findings suggest a pattern of aggressive prosecution and a disregard for conscientious objections from these individuals, even going as far as to secretly monitor Catholic priests.
On Thursday, the Task Force to Eliminate Anti-Christian Bias, led by the Justice Department, summarized its findings in a 200-page report. It highlighted a troubling trend wherein Christians with conventional biblical beliefs have had to choose between practicing their faith and abiding by federal laws.
The task force stated, “Although the Biden administration allowed private religious beliefs, there was strict enforcement that curtailed Christians’ freedom to act on their beliefs.”
A noted case involved pro-life Christians who, when sentenced for violating federal laws related to abortion clinics and pregnancy centers, received harsher penalties compared to those who identified as pro-abortion.
Additionally, the report uncovered information about a January 2023 FBI memo that advised various field offices to focus on “radical traditionalist” Catholics, based on unjustified claims from the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The FBI’s Richmond office, which generated the memo, extended its scrutiny to priests and entire Catholic groups after discovering that specific congregations in Washington, D.C., were frequented by individuals involved in criminal activities.
Investigators labeled a man named Xavier Luis Lopez, who was linked to a series of crimes, as a “radical traditional Catholic clerical fascist.” This label then prompted a probe into his clergy and local priests.
An email from an anonymous FBI source from January 5, 2023, revealed that Lopez had attended a specific Catholic chapel for several months before being arrested.
The FBI aimed to interview the priest associated with Lopez but met resistance, as he preferred to consult with legal counsel regarding the congregation’s involvement.
The Society of St. Pius X, which Lopez was affiliated with, is known for adhering to traditional practices that were modified in the church following the Second Vatican Council. The group particularly emphasizes the traditional Latin Mass.
Later, a judge sentenced Lopez to over eight years in prison for possessing a dangerous device. While this arrest was deemed legally justified, the report accused the Biden-era FBI of taking Lopez’s statements and the memo as a pretext to target traditional Catholics.
Furthermore, it noted that the FBI’s Richmond field office generated a law enforcement profile concerning the chapel associated with Lopez, although that chapel had no involvement with his wrongful activities.
Investigations involving the chapel and its priest were deemed suspicious by the Richmond office, leading to a broader assessment of the priest and the traditional Catholic community.
Following backlash over this memo, the then-FBI Director Christopher Wray and Attorney General Merrick Garland issued public apologies. However, it seems that some top FBI officials privately endorsed initiatives directed at “radical traditionalist” Christians.
The report also highlighted that the Biden administration rolled back measures from the Trump administration that aimed to protect conscience rights for Christian health care professionals regarding abortion participation.
In addition, Christian colleges and religious institutions faced significant fines linked to women’s athletic policies and vaccination requirements.
Ultimately, the report concluded that the Biden administration’s policies consistently conflicted with the Christian perspective, creating environments hostile to traditional religious practices. This tension mainly stemmed from issues like abortion, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
“It’s unacceptable for any American to worry that the federal government might penalize them due to their faith,” stated Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who heads the task force. He emphasized that the actions of the Biden administration adversely affected many Christians and declared a commitment to restoring religious freedoms for all faiths.
This report follows an Executive Order issued by President Trump in February 2025 aimed at eliminating bias against Christians in federal policy.
