CONTACT:
Logan Bayroff, West End Strategy Team
lbayroff@westendstrategy.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 21, 2025
WASHINGTON, DC – Interfaith Alliance, a national leader in defending religious freedom and multi-faith democracy, is deeply alarmed by many of the initial actions taken by President Trump on his first day in office, and by the extreme behavior and rhetoric of senior administration surrogates and allies like Elon Musk.
Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement:
“Even for those of us who felt fully prepared for the new Administration to unleash policies rooted in bigotry, discrimination and contempt for diverse democracy, many of Monday’s events and actions were still shocking.
“We are appalled by President Trump’s decision to begin his term with a series of executive orders attacking our immigration system, birthright citizenship, transgender Americans and the basic principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. These policies, along with the Trump Administration’s new order allowing ICE to carry out immigration and enforcement actions in and near churches and places of worship, show a commitment to dividing Americans, to trampling on fundamental constitutional rights, and to targeting and scapegoating some of the most vulnerable communities in our country.
“We are outraged as well by the president’s issuing of mass pardons and commutations to every one of the perpetrators of the January 6th, 2021 assault on our nation’s capital. This is part of his effort to rewrite the history of that terrible day, portraying those who violently attacked our democracy as heroes and victims. It sends a dangerous message that extremists who carry out political violence will be treated with impunity by this administration, and even celebrated, as long as their actions align with Trump’s MAGA movement and its Christian nationalist backers.
“Perhaps the most shocking moment of the day was Elon Musk engaging in a grotesque fascist salute during an inauguration rally. That one of the most wealthy and powerful people in the world felt comfortable making such a gesture is a clear warning sign that extremists already feel emboldened to engage in public displays of hate and intimidation.
“We will not allow these actions to be normalized, and we will not be intimidated. As we detailed in our recent report, “Together Against Hate,” interfaith organizing can play a powerful and effective role in resisting and overcoming hate-based violence and oppressive policies. That may be one of the reasons why the White House repealed an executive order issued by President Biden that had created the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
Interfaith Alliance is determined to do everything in our power, working with our partners, to proudly push back against the tide of hate and discrimination, and to defend multi-faith democracy and civil rights.”
Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.