A recent Pew Research poll shows a substantial shift in Catholic voter support toward former President Donald Trump, coinciding with the release of a House Judiciary Committee report exposing the FBI’s alleged targeting of traditional Catholics as potential domestic terrorists.
The poll, released on April 30, shows that 55% of Catholics now back Trump in a potential 2024 rematch against President Joe Biden, compared to just 43% supporting the incumbent. This marks a significant change from the narrow 50%-49% lead Trump held among Catholics in 2020.
About three-quarters of White evangelical Protestant voters say Trump was a “great” (37%) or “good” (37%) president. Roughly half of White Catholics and White nonevangelical Protestants share this view. https://t.co/XAEecEMhDr pic.twitter.com/LB3xEYpudf
— Pew Research Center (@pewresearch) May 1, 2024
Meanwhile, the Committee’s interim staff report, titled “The FBI’s Breach of Religious Freedom: The Weaponization of Law Enforcement Against Catholic Americans,” highlights an FBI-wide memorandum from the Richmond Field Office that labeled “radical-traditionalist Catholics” as violent extremists.
USA
Catholic voters now favour Donald Trump over Joe Biden by a comfortable margin of 55% to 43%. pic.twitter.com/GDjSH8JZVD
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) May 3, 2024
The FBI reportedly relied on at least one undercover agent and proposed developing sources among Catholic clergy and church leadership for its assessment. Whistleblower Kyle Seraphin disclosed the memo’s existence in February 2023, prompting oversight from the Committee.
Documents obtained through a subpoena issued by Chairman Jordan in April 2023 showed no legitimate basis for federal law enforcement involvement in Catholic places of worship.
The memo singled out Americans who are pro-life, pro-family and support the biological basis for sex and gender distinction as potential domestic terrorists.
About three-quarters of White evangelical Protestant voters say Trump was a “great” (37%) or “good” (37%) president. Roughly half of White Catholics and White nonevangelical Protestants share this view. https://t.co/XAEecEMhDr pic.twitter.com/LB3xEYpudf
— Pew Research Center (@pewresearch) May 1, 2024
As the 2024 presidential election approaches and the Committee continues its investigation, the FBI’s alleged targeting of traditional Catholics and the shifting political allegiances of Catholic voters are expected to remain prominent issues in the national discourse.
Atheists more likely to vote for Biden in 2024 than Black Protestants, per Pew. White Evangelicals are the mirror image of Agnostics.
Trump trailing by just 2 with Hispanic Catholics, 47-49, who also rate his 2020 presidency far better than Biden's 2024 presidency. pic.twitter.com/BcL740clAN
— Chris (@chriswithans) April 30, 2024
