By Andrew T. Walker
Sunday, January 05, 2025
In American politics, social conservatives often feel as
though our voices are silenced amid the cultural shifts and policy priorities
that favor progressivism. Even though Donald Trump is not someone naturally
associated with social conservatism, and there are reasons for disappointment
about certain concessions he has made, the reality of a second Trump
administration offers a renewed opportunity for the values of social
conservatives to be taken seriously as part of the coalition that helped elect
him. Social conservatives should resist exiling themselves into irrelevance
just because they appear to lack outsized influence in Trump’s orbit. (After
all, JD Vance’s Catholicism and incoming OMB director Russ Vought’s Evangelical
faith are hardly indifferent to the concerns of social conservatives.) For
Christians who view politics not merely as a means to an end but as a platform
to advance moral truths, this is a moment rife with potential.
Central to this social conservative vision would be a
deep-seated commitment to the sanctity of human life, the priority of the
family, the requirements of political freedom, and the rule of law. These
principles serve as the foundation not only for Christians but for anyone who
recognizes the inherent dignity and purpose of every human being and human
community. Government has a moral obligation to promote these pillars as a
general disposition toward humane governance.
What could a social conservative platform look like in a
second Trump administration?
Policies aimed at redirecting federal support for health
care initiatives that uphold life, expanding access to maternal health
resources, and fostering adoption initiatives represent more than a political
stance — they embody a moral imperative. The reinstatement of the Mexico City
policy, ensuring that U.S. taxpayer dollars are not used to fund foreign
nongovernmental organizations involved in abortion, exemplifies a global
commitment to life. Coupled with the domestic defunding of Planned Parenthood,
these actions demonstrate a comprehensive approach to defending the vulnerable
and voiceless.
Equally urgent is the defense of religious liberty and
free speech. These twin pillars of democracy are increasingly under threat by
progressives, as evidenced by cases like that of the Colorado baker who faced
relentless legal challenges for acting according to his deeply held beliefs.
Such incidents underscore the necessity of robust protections for individuals
and institutions seeking to live out their faith authentically. A second Trump
administration could champion these rights through both legislative action and
a resolute commitment to cultural advocacy, ensuring that the values of
intellectual diversity and religious expression are preserved in the public
square. It is essential for believers to recognize that these freedoms are not
merely privileges but rights that must be vigorously defended. Furthermore,
opposing legislative overreach, such as the Equality Act, ensures that
faith-based institutions can operate without compromising their convictions.
These proposed initiatives are not about imposing a narrow worldview but about
restoring balance and respect in the educational sphere.
The traditional family, the cornerstone of any thriving
society, must also be elevated and protected. Rhetorical advocacy should be
prioritized in a second Trump administration, one that is not shy about vocally
emphasizing that America is best when understood as a patchwork of connected
and intact families. Social conservatives have long understood that stable
families are essential to the moral and economic health of the nation. Policies
that prioritize parental rights in education, promote school choice, and
eliminate the imposition of divisive ideologies such as DEI (diversity, equity,
and inclusion) in public schools are vital to this effort. Moreover, resisting
the normalization of gender transitions for minors reflects a commitment to
safeguarding the innocence of children and adhering to biological realities.
These measures are not reactionary but restorative, aimed at reaffirming truths
that have guided civilizations for millennia.
Economic policies are another crucial dimension of this
vision. Eliminating marriage penalties in the tax code, expanding the child tax
credit, and providing tax relief for homeschooling and private schooling are
not mere economic adjustments. They are affirmations of the family as the
primary unit of society. Such measures align with the principles of stewardship
and subsidiarity, empowering families to flourish without undue interference
from the state. They also reflect a broader conservative commitment to
fostering a vibrant civil society, where families and communities, not
bureaucracies, drive progress.
Education, too, stands at a crossroads. The proposal to
eliminate the Department of Education and return authority to state and local
governments is a call to reinvigorate the principle of subsidiarity and
family-first conservatism. By empowering parents and educators to shape
curricula that reflect their values, this policy could pave the way for an
educational renaissance grounded in critical thinking, moral clarity, and civic
responsibility. Bringing attention to the increase of classical education and the
Classical Learning Test could be transformative.
The judiciary’s role in safeguarding these principles
cannot be overstated. Appointing conservative judges committed to
constitutional originalism is essential to preserving the rule of law and
ensuring that legislative and executive overreach are checked. The long-term
impact of a judiciary rooted in these principles extends far beyond any single
administration, shaping the legal and cultural landscape for generations.
Beyond domestic policy, the moral crisis surrounding
abortion demands decisive action. A second Trump administration could use
executive authority to restrict abortion through regulatory measures, ensuring
that federal agencies uphold the sanctity of life. Expanding support for
adoption and providing resources for expectant mothers could complement these
efforts, offering compassionate and practical alternatives that resonate with
the broader public.
Addressing the cultural confusion surrounding gender and
sexuality is another imperative. Establishing a commission to investigate
transgender medical practices and implementing age verification for social
media and pornography are steps toward protecting children from exploitation
and harmful ideologies. Ensuring fairness in sports by preventing biological
males from participating in female competitions underscores the importance of
truth and justice in public life. These policies are not about exclusion but
about preserving the integrity of institutions and protecting the vulnerable.
Finally, the call for justice and accountability must be
heard. Investigating anti-Christian bias in federal institutions and pardoning
pro-life activists prosecuted under the FACE (Freedom of Access to Clinic
Entrances) Act are necessary steps to reaffirm the place of religious
convictions in the public square. These actions would signal a broader
commitment to fairness and the equal application of the law, ensuring that
people of faith are not penalized for living according to their principles.
To advance this ambitious agenda, it is imperative that
the administration appoint a dedicated adviser for domestic social policy. Such
a figure would oversee this portfolio and ensure that these priorities remain
at the forefront of the administration, translating moral principles into
actionable policies. The stakes are too high for complacency. Strategic
leadership is essential to offsetting the free fall of American culture into
illiberalism, atomization, and barbarism. We must take meaningful action to
reverse these culture-killing trends.
Progressives will undoubtedly portray these policies as
regressive, but their true objective is human flourishing. By emphasizing the
tangible advantages — stronger families, vibrant communities, and a society
rooted in truth and justice — social conservatives can effectively argue that
these measures are not only morally right but also pragmatically sound. A
culture that values life, liberty, and family is not merely a vision for
believers but a necessity for a cohesive and prosperous society.
Consider the long-term cultural impact of a public
education campaign to decrease poverty and encourage family formation. What
would it look like? Imagine if there were government-funded campaigns, akin to
the “The More You Know” commercials of the 1990s, that heralded Richard Reeves’
“Success Sequence,” the idea that if the average American
graduates from high school, gets a job, gets married, and has children, in that
sequence, their likelihood of ever experiencing poverty dramatically decreases.
A second Trump administration presents a significant
opportunity to catalyze a moral and cultural renaissance. By championing the
defense of life, liberty, and the family, this agenda has the potential to
catalyze a transformative shift in American public life, aligning public policy
with timeless truths. For Christians, this is an urgent call to action: to
engage in the public sphere with unwavering courage and conviction, fervently
praying and diligently working toward the creation of a society that embodies
the splendor of God’s design. The potential rewards are far-reaching — a nation
that cherishes its heritage and ensures its prosperity for generations to come.
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