The MAGA campaign has relied on support from White Protestants and Catholics during both election cycles, however, this support for President Trump and his administration is clearly shifting. Ahead of Trump’s military parade on June 14th, in Washington DC, referred to by some as his “birthday parade,” Pope Leo XIV has a scheduled virtual visit to his hometown of Chicago at the Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox. Both events take place at the same time, leaving many pro-Trump, Catholic supporters with a difficult choice. As of Wednesday, June 11th, Pope Leo XIV’s event in Chicago was sold out, with nearly 40,000 tickets sold.
Widespread opposition to Trump’s crackdown on immigration and mass deportations has spread across the US. Ahead of Trump’s military parade protestors have organized resistance efforts. In addition to the military parade and the Pope’s virtual visit will be “No Kings Day” protests across the country, with more than 1,800 cities participating. The movement is described as a national day of action and mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarianism within the Trump administration.
The organization states, “They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services. The corruption has gone too. far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings.” Many are interpreting the timing of Pope Leo XIV’s event in Chicago as its own form of opposition to Trump and his handling of migration in the US.
The Catholic Church seems to be aligning with the ideology of “No Kings Day” and shows support for migrants. Pope Leo’s first US episcopal appointment in late May saw Bishop Michael Pham named as bishop of San Diego, California — a Vietnamese refugee, who on Wednesday invited priests and faith leaders to “stand in solidarity” with migrants at courthouses on June 20th, as they make their court appearances.
Bishop Designate Pham addressed a letter to fellow religious leaders calling upon them to “be present during the process” as migrants are called to court and likely given orders for expedited removal from the country. Additionally, a press conference will be held in order for the “clear message that people of faith stand with immigrants and refugees” to be spread to the greater public.
