Fifty-four percent of Catholic voters held onto one moral issue to decide how they vote. That one issue was sufficient for them to forget all the rest that impacted their life. Have the Catholics got what they voted for?
INTRODUCTION
The Trump administration's immigration policies have sparked much debate among Catholics. Fifty-four percent of the Catholic voters voted for Trump, but are the Catholics getting what they voted for? Many Catholics argued their vote for Trump was because of the right-to-choose abortion argument. They picked blocking women’s rights over the danger signs from Trump of where he was going to take the Nation.
Recently, Tom Homan, the border tzar born into a catholic family, has added fuel to the fire with some recently inflammatory comments. This article examines some of his comments and key points of this disagreement.
THE CATHOLIC VOTE
During the 2024 campaign, Catholic voters were sharply divided over various volatile social issues. Some conservative Catholics said the Democratic Party’s support for abortion right-to-choose was reason enough to oppose Harris; some more liberal Catholics said Trump’s demonization of migrants and disinterest in social-justice issues made him unworthy of support.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami, who has worked closely with migrant and refugee communities in South Florida and beyond, sounded a note of “cautious optimism” about a second Trump term, believing that the reality of migrants’ contributions to the U.S. economy will matter more than the “hyperbole” about mass deportations.
On abortion and other issues, Wenski said the Biden administration had sometimes given people of faith “heartburn because of policy decisions that seem to intrude on religious liberty.”
Have Catholics who voted for Trump got what they voted for? Are they happy with that?
Fifty-four percent of Catholic voters marked their X for Trump. Is what is happening what they voted for? Are they happy with that?
DO TRUMP’S ACTIONS REFLECT CATHOLIC VALUES
Many Catholics believe that Trump's immigration policies go against core Catholic teachings. Catholicism emphasizes compassion, welcoming the stranger, and caring for the vulnerable. They argue that separating families at the border and deporting people without considering their circumstances contradicts these values, causing unnecessary suffering.
For fifty-four percent of Catholic voters, the issue of abortion right-to-choose was more important than concern for social and economic health and welfare impacts on themselves and others.
They picked their abortion issue, believing that an adjudicated rapist, a felon and a habitual liar would improve the economy and their lives – making America Great Again – whatever that means.
Is what is happening what they voted for? Are they happy with that?
THE DEFLECTION TACTIC
When criticized, Trump and his supporters often shift the focus. Instead of addressing the concerns, they attack the people who raise them. This is called "deflection." For example, Tom Homan criticized the Pope for his stance on immigration. This is an attempt to distract from the actual issues, and the corporate media often falls into this trap by focusing on the attacks instead of the actual problems.
ATTACKING THE MESSENGER
Homan's attack on the Pope, calling him "the Pope guy," is a classic example of attacking the messenger. The problem is that rather than addressing the issue of whether separating families is right, the focus is shifted to the person criticizing it. This avoids any honest discussion about the policy’s ethics because there is no justification for what they are doing. Border crossings are down 75% to an all-time low a a result of Biden’s actions, and immigrants are seventy percent less likely to carry out a crime than the rest of the population in the United States.
So, why is Trump doing what he is doing – because they want a white nationalist society, and he found a 30-second sound bite that many people could identify with. The problem is always someone else.
A POLICE OFFICER’S FAMILY CONCERNS.
Homan's father and grandfather were police officers. Would they be proud of and approve of Homan’s role in the administration's decision to release 1,600 criminals onto the streets? This highlights the contradictions in Trump’s policies and Catholic values of empathy and respect.
THE CONTRADICTION OF TRUMP’S ACTIONS
Trump's administration has focused on deporting immigrants, but statistics show a lower crime rate among immigrants than non-immigrants. This suggests a contradiction. If immigrants are less likely to commit crimes, then focusing on deporting them seems unfair and illogical, especially when one considers the social and economic impact that is coming.
Also, the fact that people living next to non-immigrants have a 253% higher chance of becoming victims of serious crime strengthens this criticism.
ECONOMIC IMPACTS
Critics argue that Trump's immigration policies will harm the U.S. economy. The claim that by making it harder for immigrants to work, the country loses valuable contributors to agriculture and manufacturing. They also argue that increased taxes offset the benefits of immigration.
A considerable part of the workforce relied on will be gone, along with the tax revenue benefits. Unfortunately, many cannot see beyond their noses and will not be concerned or change their minds until all the impacts hit them squarely in the face.
JD VANCES PERSPECTIVE
JD Vance, when asked about the Catholic Church's criticism of these policies, pointed out the large sums of money the Church receives to help resettle immigrants. He questioned whether the Church's concern is truly humanitarian or motivated by financial interests. This adds another complex layer to the ongoing debate designed to deflect.
CONCLUSION
The debate over Trump's immigration policies is complex and involves many different viewpoints. This includes Catholics, who are divided on whether these policies reflect Catholic values or if the abortion issue of the right to choose trumps all else.
Have those who voted for Trump got what they voted for? Are you happy with that?
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