Monday, Jan. 20, is a national trifecta for America.
First, it’s a national holiday celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy. Second, it’s Inauguration Day for President Donald Trump. And third, Notre Dame is playing in the NCAA football national championship against Ohio State University.
Dr. King’s 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech, given in front of the Lincoln Memorial, riveted the nation and was one of the major sparks that culminated with the civil rights legislation that was enacted a year later. Fast forward to 2025, and Trump will deliver his second and final inaugural speech from the nation’s capital. Unlike in his 2017 speech, Trump should have special intentions for Catholics who voted in this election.
According to AP Pollcast, the Catholic vote was integral to his winning both the national popular vote and the Electoral College. A total of 54% of Catholics voted for Trump in 2024 versus 50% in 2020. Vice President Kamala Harris received 44% Catholic support in her 2024 presidential bid.
Trump has strong opinions, some of which oppose Catholic doctrine. However, if you look at the issues broadly, then you can see some light at the end of the tunnel. Trump pushed the question of abortion rights back to the states, which allows for far more local rule than a federal mandate. Being a pro-life newspaper, The Tablet, as with the Catholic Church, would like to see abortion outlawed throughout the nation.
However, granting citizens of many states the right to choose how their state legislates abortion, the policy has reduced the overall number of unborn lives lost in many areas of the country. Unfortunately, here in New York, we have no appreciable momentum to sway the status quo.
On immigration, Catholic thought is that we have to welcome and care for newcomers. Yes, we must uplift our fellow humans. However, Trump has stated his plans for the mass deportation of undocumented migrants, beginning with those with a criminal record. While we can not paint with a broad brush, we need to be safe within our borders. That is equally as important for all of us.
Even though President Joe Biden is a lifelong Catholic, many felt that his administration’s policies flew in the face of Catholic doctrine. Trump’s cabinet, on the other hand, will be well-represented with Catholics should the U.S. Senate confirm the nominees. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was nominated to be the secretary of Health and Human Services; Sen. Marco Rubio was tapped as secretary of State; Rep. Elise Stefanik was chosen as ambassador to the United Nations; John Ratcliffe was nominated as director of the Central Intelligence Agency; and Rep. Sean Duffy was nominated for secretary of transportation.
Other officials in the new administration will include Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, who is a Catholic convert, and Tom Homan, who will serve as the “Border Czar” in charge of defending our southern border. Let’s hope the Catholic vote can result in more Catholic values in Washington, D.C.
Oh, and lastly, on Monday night — let’s go, Fighting Irish.
