On February 5th, Vice President Pence attended the 2025 International Religious Freedom Summit held in Washington D.C., where he expressed the commitment to safeguard the religious freedom of all believers.
In his speech, Pence reiterated that the Trump administration’s second term will continue to prioritize “advancing religious freedom” as a core element of its foreign policy and will restore and expand upon past achievements.
Within just over two weeks of taking office, President Trump has already issued orders to halt the weaponization against American religious believers by the federal government.
Pence specifically mentioned that the Trump administration will “make a distinction” between regimes that respect and disrespect religious freedom.
“Religious freedom is the cornerstone of American and global civil societies,” Pence stated during his speech.
“In the United States, our founding fathers correctly recognized this before even being elected as presidents, enshrining religious freedom as the foremost freedom in our great Constitution.”
“During his first term, President Trump made advancing religious freedom a cornerstone of his foreign policy.”
“In China, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, the Trump administration took critical measures for the first time to protect the rights of believers, whether it was rescuing pastors persecuted by foreign regimes or providing relief for Yazidi Christians and other faith groups facing genocide by ISIS.”
“In terms of domestic policy, President Trump’s first term brought about a new peak for American religious individuals.”
“He took decisive actions to defend religious freedom, combat anti-Semitism, uphold the conscience rights of hospital workers and believers…”
Pence stated that the Trump administration’s second term will restore and expand upon past achievements.
“This administration aims not only to restore but also expand upon the accomplishments of the past four years and the past two weeks.”
“In this short period of time, the President has directed the federal government to cease weaponizing against American religious believers.”
“Pardoning anti-abortion protestors unjustly imprisoned during the previous administration.”
“Ending federal government review systems that no longer hinder Americans from expressing their conscience and thoughts in their communities or on the internet.”
“Now, our government believes we must defend religious freedom, which is not just an important legal principle but a reality, whether at home or abroad.”
Pence stated that the Trump administration will distinguish regimes that respect and disrespect religious freedom.
“I want to emphasize that part of our efforts to protect religious freedom means recognizing the distinction between regimes that respect religious freedom and those that do not in our foreign policy. The United States must be able to make that distinction.”
“Whether domestically or internationally, we still have much work to do to more fully safeguard the religious freedom of all believers.”