White House Increasingly Uses Religious Symbolism to Justify Policies

New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman sees through the administration's strategy

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:40pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of a government building or political figure in a contemplative pose, with warm light and deep shadows creating a sense of solemnity and introspection.The White House's increasing use of religious imagery to frame its policies has sparked concerns over the blending of church and state.NYC Today

According to New York Times correspondent Maggie Haberman, Trump administration officials are increasingly employing religious symbolism to justify the Iran war and other unpopular policies. President Trump posted an image depicting himself as a Christlike healer, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has framed the conflict in explicitly religious terms and quoted Bible verses during press updates, though one quote was actually dialogue from a Quentin Tarantino film. The Pope condemned "warmongers" who "manipulate religion" to justify violence, prompting a response from Vice President JD Vance, a recent Catholic convert, who warned the pope to "be careful" with the criticism.

Why it matters

Haberman suggested Vance faces complications given his sincere Catholic faith and upcoming book on religion, noting the conflict with the pope is "not a winning debate" for the administration. The use of religious symbolism to justify controversial policies is seen as a concerning trend that goes "off the rails" by framing warfare as a religious mission.

The details

President Trump posted an image depicting himself as a Christlike healer, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has framed the conflict in explicitly religious terms and quoted Bible verses during press updates, though one quote was actually dialogue from a Quentin Tarantino film. Pope Leo XIV condemned "warmongers" who "manipulate religion" to justify violence, prompting a response from Vice President JD Vance, a recent Catholic convert, who warned the pope to "be careful" with the criticism.

  • The Trump administration has increasingly used religious symbolism in recent months to justify policies.
  • The Pope's condemnation of "warmongers" who "manipulate religion" came in response to the administration's actions.

The players

Maggie Haberman

A New York Times correspondent who has observed the Trump administration's use of religious symbolism to justify policies.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who posted an image depicting himself as a Christlike healer.

Pete Hegseth

The Defense Secretary who has framed the conflict in explicitly religious terms and quoted Bible verses during press updates.

Pope Leo XIV

The Pope who condemned "warmongers" who "manipulate religion" to justify violence.

JD Vance

The Vice President who is a recent Catholic convert and warned the Pope to "be careful" with the criticism.

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What they’re saying

“This is unlike anything really that we have seen in, in ever in the last, at least in the last 80 years and possibly, you know, ever in decades upon decades.”

— Maggie Haberman, New York Times Correspondent

“warmongers who "manipulate religion" to justify violence”

— Pope Leo XIV, Pope

“be careful”

— JD Vance, Vice President

What’s next

The administration's use of religious symbolism to justify policies is likely to continue being a point of controversy, with the Pope's condemnation and Vice President Vance's response indicating a potential escalating conflict.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's increasing reliance on religious symbolism to justify controversial policies, such as the Iran war, represents a concerning trend that goes beyond normal political rhetoric. This strategy of manipulating religion for political gain raises questions about the separation of church and state and the administration's respect for democratic norms.