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Vice President JD Vance addressed the International Religious Freedom Summit on February 5, defending recent cuts to U.S. foreign aid by asserting that the funds were being used to "spread atheism" abroad. Vance's remarks coincided with actions taken by the Trump administration to close the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), as part of a broader initiative led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to reduce federal expenditures.
Vance emphasized the importance of religious freedom as both a legal principle and a lived reality, particularly outside U.S. borders. He expressed concern that American engagement in religious liberty issues had become "corrupted and distorted." He questioned why taxpayer dollars were funding NGOs purportedly dedicated to promoting atheism globally, although he did not specify which organizations he was referring to.
According to Forbes, USAID's largest NGO recipient from 2013-2022 was Catholic Relief Services, receiving $4.6 billion for aiding impoverished and vulnerable populations overseas in line with Catholic teachings.
The summit saw mixed reactions to Vance's speech; while some attendees applauded his comments, others criticized them, with one individual accusing him of "gaslighting."
In his address, Vance also highlighted past efforts by the Trump administration to protect conscience rights within healthcare settings and framed these initiatives as foundational for their continued governance.
The summit brought together various faith groups and policymakers aiming to promote global religious freedom. Actor Rainn Wilson followed Vance's speech virtually, discussing the persecution faced by Bahá’í adherents in Iran and humorously suggesting he could portray Vance in a television movie.
Kate Scanlon reported this story for OSV News from Washington.
