Prof. Dr. Benjamin Dahlke analyzes the relationship between US Catholics and Trump
“In terms of his demeanor, Leo acts as an anti-Trump figure.”
One year after Trump's second inauguration, theologian and US expert Benjamin Dahlke paints a nuanced picture of Catholicism under Donald Trump. However, he sees the bishops as united in their criticism of the harsh migration policy.
DOMRADIO.DE: The day after the inauguration just under a year ago, you said that relations between the US and the Vatican would be difficult. How difficult have they actually become?
Prof. Benjamin Dahlke: It has indeed become difficult, especially on issues of migration policy. This was already apparent during the election campaign when Trump announced that he would carry out deportations on a larger scale and also have the borders guarded very strictly.
In addition, the immigration agency ICE is now being deployed within the country, and massive resistance has formed against this. This is a central issue on which there are considerable differences between the current administration and the Catholic Church.
