Former US president Donald Trump urged evangelical Christians on Saturday to vote for him in the upcoming election, promising to protect their religious freedom if he wins.
While Trump himself does not attend church regularly, he has garnered strong support from the religious right by prioritizing their issues, such as appointing conservative Supreme Court justices.
Speaking at a conference held by the Faith and Freedom Coalition, Trump encouraged evangelical voters to turn out in large numbers, citing their low voter turnout in previous elections.
If re-elected, Trump would be ineligible to run for president in 2028 due to term limits.
Evangelical voters were instrumental in Trump’s past electoral victories and he pledged to continue defending their interests, specifically promising to safeguard religious freedom.
Trump also claimed to have defended religious liberty against various ideologies, pledging to protect Christians in various facets of society.
Despite pressure from Republicans to support a national abortion ban, Trump deferred the decision to individual states, emphasizing the importance of letting the people decide.
Furthermore, Trump vowed to establish a federal task force to combat anti-Christian bias and investigate reported discrimination against US Christians.
As the influence of religion in the US remains a divisive issue, Trump emphasized the importance of keeping religion relevant in public life, particularly for white evangelical Christians.
Trump’s Democratic opponent, President Joe Biden, who supports abortion rights, is a devout Catholic, highlighting the contrasting views on religious issues in the upcoming election.
Trump warned supporters about attempts by the political left to silence and marginalize them, urging them to vote and stay engaged in the political process.
With the upcoming presidential debate between Trump and Biden, the role of religion in public life is likely to be a key issue in the 2024 election.
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