Statement from the Council of Bishops on Executive Orders signed by President Trump

On January 20th, the United States saw a return to the peaceful transition of power as Donald Trump succeeded Joe Biden as the 47th President of the United States. Before the day was over, the United States also witnessed a return to the tumultuous and chaotic days of the 45th President of the United States. Unfortunately, both the 45th and 47th Presidents of the United States are one man: Donald J. Trump. January 20th was the inauguration of the President of the United States and the national holiday celebrating the birth of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In his famous speech, "I Have A Dream," Dr. King mentioned a day when we "would no longer be judged by the color of our skin, but the content of our character." It appears Donald Trump was not judged by the content of his character. His character reflects a man who is not truthful, has been impeached twice, has been judged by a jury of his peers as being guilty of sexual harassment, and is a convicted felon. The content of his character did not prevent Americans from electing him a second time as President. He won both the Electoral College and the popular vote. Since he responded "I Do" to the oath of office, the nation has again become caught up in tumult and chaos. Only one bill has been passed, which he has not yet signed. Still, through executive orders, Donald Trump has begun to keep his campaign promises to "Make America Great Again." Not by legislation but by his signature on Executive Orders. The Executive Orders: Provided pardons and commutation of sentences to approximately 1500 persons convicted or pleaded guilty to offenses in the January 6th insurrection attempt at the U S Capital in Washington, DC. Persons who attacked police officers and committed other violent crimes have been freed, and those whose cases have not yet been heard have had their cases dismissed and now face no charges. Require mass deportation of millions of people who have crossed the southern border. Some legally, some illegally, some convicted criminals, some seeking asylum, some children, some for a host of other reasons. Some raids are being made without warrants, and some immigrants are being separated from their children. Redefine birth citizenship as something that contradicts the 14th Amendment, meaning that a person born in the United States is not necessarily a citizen of the United States. Direct the Attorney General to forbid federal funds to any so-called "sanctuary city" and allow ICE agents and law enforcement to invade schools and churches to search for immigrants. Give Executive Branch Departments 60 days to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, including all "chief diversity officer jobs," equity action plans," and "environmental justice" positions. Repeal Biden-era directives on racial and ethnic equity, including efforts to ensure equitable distribution of federal money based on the U.S. census. Pressure to end diversity, equity, and inclusion is also applied to private firms. The president says ending diversity, inclusion, and diversity will make opportunities and promotions based solely on merit and end discrimination. Repeal Biden's orders regarding climate change and fossil fuel extraction and deny U S Fish and Wildlife Service's request to create a sacred site in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Established the new Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, intended to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity. The goal is to reduce spending by 2 trillion dollars. President Trump has taken many other actions since his inauguration that will change the United States as we know it. None of them have been done by action of the Congress, only through the president and his Executive Orders. The Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church opposes most Executive Orders President Trump signed. We understand that these executive orders are only the beginning of an effort to implement Project 2025, drafted by those who formerly served or are currently aligned with President Trump. Cabinet nominees and other appointees of President Trump are loyalists whose allegiance is not first to the United States but to Donald Trump. Many of their qualifications are questionable. What can and must the African Methodist Episcopal Church do in this environment? First, we must recognize that we are at war and fighting  as the Book of Ephesians warns "against spiritual wickedness in high places." Elected, ordained, appointed, nationalist, terroristic forces. This fight is not simply political; this is spiritual warfare. Therefore, we must put on "the whole armor of God" and fight the good fight of faith. Second, we must partner with other partners in this fight. In other words, we need an army with multiple expertise. The African Methodist Episcopal Church must join with the American Civil Liberties Union and become a plaintiff in a host of cases that will be filed in opposition to many of the President's Executive Orders. We must also partner with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and other legal entities. We must partner with other faith leaders and bodies (ecumenical and interfaith) to support each other and become a more powerful force in this effort. This includes the NAACP, the Divine Nine, the National Urban League, and other organizations. Join with other faith leaders who share our positions, such as the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the Union African Methodist Episcopal Church, The United Methodist Church, the Conference of National Black Churches, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the Episcopal Church and others. We also go on record as supporting the prophetic sermon of Bishop Marian Budde at the Washington National Cathedral. Our theological and biblical scholars must prepare papers and documents that support and inform our communities and the world why we take our positions and will strengthen our army. Third, we must understand that there is a larger world out there that we are called to save. This is "kingdom work." We must forget about our small AME world matters, which do not impact the world we are called to save. All of us must be in this together to the glory of God. This is not about the continental United States; this is about the world. Districts 14 to 20 have as much at risk as Districts 1 to 13. These "s…t hole countries,"  as President Trump called them, will lose funding, health assistance, and defense security and will be exploited and stripped of resources without the help of the United States. Fourth, we must do a massive job of organizing, educating, and mobilizing our congregants and communities. Too many people in our congregations and communities are not aware or informed about what is happening around them or impacting them. Pulpits must again be necessary, and ministers must be priestly and prophetic.  We are "watchmen" for God and must "cry loud, spare not, and lift up our voice like a trumpet." In a word, we must lead. Lead our people to know what is happening, speak truth to power (our community leaders, friends, and enemies), and lift our voices above the noise, misinformation, and distractions intended to manipulate and mislead us. Fifth, we must develop a media and messaging strategy that will expand our following around the nation and the world. An anonymous source will help fund this effort. Anyone who wants to contribute is encouraged to do so. We will use a media firm that is already assisting us. The Social Action Commission will take leadership in seeking to bring together faith leaders and bodies to partner. Input from others is welcome. Sixth, we will hold a National Press Conference in early February at Metropolitan AME Church, Washington, at the beginning of Black History Month. Address our opposition to Executive Orders (particularly pardons and DEI) and announce legal action and partnerships. We ask African Methodism to support us as we engage in kingdom work and fight the good fight of faith. We must do more than put out a statement, more than talk. We must act, and our work must be long-term. We must be unified around a cause and not divided by distractions. This does not negate or minimize the church's work, particularly matters related to the Department of Retirement Services. But we must also be about kingdom work. As we move forward, the Council of Bishops asks for your prayers, support, and cooperation. The world at its worst requires the church to be at its best. Let's give God and the work of His kingdom the best of our service. Bishop Silvester S. Beaman, President Council of Bishops  Bishop Wilfred Messiah, Senior Bishop Bishop James L. Davis, President General Board Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Chair, Social Action

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