The State Department recently convened a high-level diplomatic meeting with representatives from 66 nations to discuss the resurgence of what they term political terrorism. But some Trump administration officials who spoke at the event employed the same kinds of dehumanizing and inflammatory rhetoric that experts say can fuel the political violence the conference was meant to address.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller’s speech at the event could have served as a case study in the very kind of rhetoric the conference should have been discouraging.
“It’s not a coincidence that when you look at these violent antifa demonstrations and you see any photograph of those who were assembled — to be blunt, not one of the people that is demonstrating looks like a normal person,” he said. “Not one looks normal. They’re all deformed in some way — in their appearance, in their dress, in their mannerism.”
At other points, he described protesters against the administration’s immigration sweeps as “radical leftists,” “political terrorists” and a “cancer” on civilization (three times); argued that “left-wing terrorism” would lead to gulags, “mass imprisonment of political enemies” and “the stripping of their rights and freedoms”; and said the protesters had “scarred their body and their appearance” to the point that “in many different ways, to the point in which “their outer appearance becomes a manifestation of their inner hatred.”
In just a few minutes, Miller’s speech employed many of the rhetorical patterns that scholars of political violence and authoritarianism have long identified as warning signs: portraying opponents as an existential threat, equating dissent with terrorism, using dehumanizing and disease-based language, making apocalyptic predictions and suggesting that people’s physical appearance reflects their inner moral depravity.
But the most jarring moment came when Miller tried to claim the religious high ground.
“The leftist looks at what is beautiful and what is good and what is natural and is filled with envy and hatred,” he said. “The leftist looks at a perfect family with the perfect life and a perfect job and perfect kids that go to church every Sunday and is filled with a feeling of inadequacy and jealousy. They covet, and they turn those emotions ultimately into a desire to subjugate, oppress, and inflict pain and suffering.”
At this point, the speech transcended mere political hypocrisy. Because while Miller repeatedly — and falsely — claims that the United States is a Judeo-Christian country, both the Old and the New Testaments call for people of faith to do the opposite of almost everything that Miller celebrates through the prism of white Christian Nationalism.
His suggestion that people’s physical appearance reveals their moral character runs contrary to themes repeated throught the Bible. Genesis says that all people are created in God’s image. Leviticus instructs believers not to exploit or demean people with disabilities. In 1 Samuel, God reminds Samuel that while human beings see appearances, “the lord looks into the heart,” while in John, Jesus says, “Stop judging by appearances, but judge justly.”
His treatment of political opponents also runs counter to biblical teachings. Proverbs condemns “one who sows discord among kindred.” James warns against giving speeches that “curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God,” while Ephesians warns that “no foul language should come out of your mouths.” And in Matthew, Jesus preaches to “love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.”
Perhaps most importantly, his speech repeatedly sought to divide the country into the virtuous and the depraved, the normal and the abnormal. The Bible repeatedly seeks to break down these kinds of divisions. Acts says that “God shows no partiality,” while Galatians says “there is neither Jew nor Greek” among believers. And in Matthew 25, Jesus identifies not with the powerful or the “normal,” but with the least of these, saying, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
Nor is the contradiction confined to rhetoric. The Trump administration’s actions often stand in similar tension with the biblical values its officials invoke.
Social justice in the name of faith, is acted out every Sunday by people who did not vote for Miller’s boss. They care for the sick, help the needy, counsel the sad, suffering and alone.
Proverbs tells us that “whoever oppresses the poor reviles their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors him.” Meanwhile, the Trump administration has touted cuts to USAID – an agency formed to combat global hunger. Those cuts also slash funding for Christian organizations carrying out humanitarian work inspired by the very biblical teachings administration officials claim to champion. A study from the Lancet estimates it could result in the deaths of more than four million toddlers by 2030.
Matthew says that “You cannot serve God and mammon.” The gospel of Trumpism, by contrast, treats wealth as a virtue in itself, as the president rakes in billions while supposedly serving the people. His obsession with earthly riches has literally covered the Oval Office in gold leaf.
The same Bible Trump hawks for $69.99 teaches believers to care for the sick, even as his administration cuts Medicaid. It condemns idolatry, even as Trump shares images depicting himself as a divine figure and builds monuments extolling himself. And it commands, “You shall not kill,” even as he threatens to wipe out entire civilizations.
It’s no wonder Trump repeatedly finds himself at odds with religious leaders. It’s easy to see why he melts down at an Episcopalian bishop for reminding him the value of mercy. And it makes sense that he would carry on a one-sided feud with the first American pope, who has been outspoken against the Iran war.
Officials like Miller often invoke religion to justify their words and actions. But judged by the very Judeo-Christian teachings they invoke, they fall dramatically short.
Evan Brechtel contributed to this report.
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