White House Welcomes Persecuted Christians After Trump’s Speech

The White House is stepping up to support persecuted Christians globally. This follows President Trump’s remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast, where he mentioned the ongoing struggles of these communities.

Led by Rev. Paula Whitecain and faith director Jenny Cohn, the White House Office of Faith intends to welcome at least six individuals facing persecution from countries like China, Nigeria, and Cuba. The National Prayer Breakfast, held every February, gathers a diverse group of political figures and business leaders for discussions and prayer about faith and the future of the nation.

During his address, President Trump stated, “No administration in modern history has done more to address the plight of persecuted Christians around the world than we have.”

Trump’s return to the breakfast highlighted the growing importance of faith in his agenda for a second term. At the event, he recounted a mission undertaken on Christmas Day in coordination with the Nigerian government, which included launching airstrikes against ISIS militants threatening thousands of Christians in Nigeria.

The White House meeting included Nigerian pastor Gideon Parra-Mallam, Grace Drexel who faced challenges in China, Pastor Andrew Brunson from Türkiye, Mariam Ibrahim from Sudan, Mario Felix Leonardo Barroso from Cuba, and Y Phic “Jack” Hdok from Vietnam.

Parra-Mallam, who founded the Gideon and Funmi Paramaram Peace Foundation, aids survivors of attacks on Christians and leads relief efforts in heavily affected regions in Nigeria. He noted that the U.S. airstrikes in Nigeria during Christmas contributed to a more peaceful holiday season for local Christians.

Brunson, who spent over two decades in Turkey, was arrested in 2016 based on allegations deemed false by his supporters. His case drew significant attention and ended with his release in 2018 at the behest of President Trump. Drexel, arrested in 2025 for her faith, and Ibrahim, sentenced to execution in Sudan for her religious choices while pregnant, are also among those attending.

Cuban pastor Barroso shared that he was detained multiple times in Cuba due to his faith before escaping in 2016. Y Phic “Jack” Duc, who advocates for Christians in Vietnam, fled his country in 2018.

This event precedes the one-year anniversary of the formation of the White House Office of Faith, established by Trump’s executive order to enhance outreach to faith-based organizations. A statement from the Faith Agency celebrated Trump’s commitment to religious freedom, stating he has fought against forms of bigotry and supported issues important to many faith communities.