Why is a Trump commission attacking Nietzsche, Foucault and Sartre?

A U.S. government commission established by former President Donald Trump has drawn controversy for blaming prominent European philosophers, including Friedrich Nietzsche, Michel Foucault, and Jean-Paul Sartre, for contributing to the secularization of American society. The commission, known as the Presidential Commission on the Celebration of America's 250th Anniversary, released a 224-page draft report in late April titled “Americans’ First Freedom.” The document outlines recommendations aimed at reversing what the commission describes as a growing trend toward secularism in areas such as education, government, the military, employment, and public healthcare. The report was published around the time of the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding, a symbolic moment chosen by the commission to highlight what it views as a crisis in American values. According to the text, the commission believes that the increasing influence of secular ideologies has led to systemic religious discrimination, prompting calls for measures to protect religious freedom more aggressively. Among these measures are suggestions for establishing hotlines to report perceived violations of religious liberty by individuals in positions of authority. The commission attributes this shift to the rise of a philosophical movement in the early 20th century, particularly in Europe. On page 41 of the report, it states: “In the 1900s, however, a new philosophy emerged in Europe, which laid the intellectual foundations for threats to American religious liberty which persist even today. Friedrich Nietzsche, Michel Foucault, Jean-Paul Sartre and others famously embraced the belief that ‘God is dead,’ rejecting God and dismissing ideals of objective truth and morality as simply pretences used to gain power.” This section of the report has sparked debate among scholars and critics. Some argue that the commission oversimplifies complex philosophical ideas and misrepresents their impact on modern American society. Others question whether the focus on European thinkers is a strategic move to align with the religious right, a core component of Trump’s political base. The commission’s approach reflects broader concerns within certain conservative circles about the role of religion in public life. These groups often advocate for policies that prioritize religious expression in schools, government institutions, and other public spaces. They view the separation of church and state as a barrier to expressing faith freely, rather than a safeguard against government overreach into religious matters. Critics of the report have pointed out that the philosophers named, Nietzsche, Foucault, and Sartre, are widely regarded as foundational figures in modern thought, influencing fields ranging from ethics to politics. Their critiques of traditional religious structures and moral frameworks are seen by many as essential contributions to contemporary discourse, rather than threats to religious liberty. Despite the controversy surrounding the report, the commission maintains that its goal is to reinforce the principles of religious freedom as outlined in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It argues that the proposed measures would help ensure that Americans can practice their faith without fear of discrimination or marginalization. The release of the report comes amid ongoing debates about the balance between religious expression and secular governance in the United States. While the commission’s recommendations have been met with skepticism by academics and civil liberties organizations, they reflect a growing influence of religious conservatism in shaping national policy discussions. The commission plans to hold further meetings to discuss the final version of the report before submitting it to the White House. Whether the recommendations will lead to legislative action remains uncertain, but the commission’s focus on philosophical influences highlights the intersection of ideology, law, and public policy in contemporary American politics.