Rev. Shaji Karackal
Washington DC: The White House, under President Donald Trump, recently welcomed and honored a group of persecuted Christians from various countries as part of efforts to highlight and address global religious persecution, particularly focusing on Christians. According to recent reports (dated February 5, 2026), the White House Faith Office—led by senior adviser Pastor Paula White-Cain and faith director Jenny Korn—hosted at least six individuals who have faced persecution for their faith in their home countries, including China, Cuba, and Nigeria. This event followed Trump’s speech at the National Prayer Breakfast, where he emphasized that no modern administration has done more to confront the plight of persecuted Christians worldwide. The hosted individuals reportedly included figures such as Rev. Gideon Para-Mallam (Nigeria) Grace Drexel (persecuted in China) Pastor Andrew Brunson (persecuted in Turkey) Mariam Ibraheem (persecuted in Sudan) Mario Felix Lleonart Barroso (Cuba) Y Phic “Jack” Hdok (Vietnam)
This aligns with broader Trump administration actions on religious liberty, including establishing the White House Faith Office, Creating the Religious Liberty Commission Forming a Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias, Designating countries like Nigeria as Countries of Particular Concern due to violence against Christians, Issuing pardons for U.S.-based Christians and pro-life activists claimed to have been persecuted under prior policies.
These steps are framed by the administration as reversing previous anti-faith biases and prioritizing protection for believers facing threats abroad and at home. The welcome event appears to be a symbolic gesture of solidarity and recognition for those enduring persecution “in their country” (i.e., their countries of origin). This development has been covered positively in outlets like Fox News and shared widely on social media among supporters.
