President Biden claims to have run for office to "restore the soul of the nation" and to combat hate, bigotry, and violence in the United States. However, the policies and initiatives touted as evidence of this commitment reveal more about political posturing than substantive change. As an Iranian-American Christian conservative and someone who has seen firsthand the corrosive effects of identity politics and authoritarian governance, I find Biden’s purported "soul restoration" to be little more than a veneer masking deeper societal fractures.
The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act: Symbolism Over Substance
The administration highlights the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, including the Khalid Jabara and Heather Heyer NO HATE Act, as a pivotal step in addressing hate crimes. While improving reporting mechanisms is laudable, this act does little to address the root causes of societal divisions. In practice, the bill appears to prioritize certain groups—namely Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders—while failing to acknowledge the broader epidemic of politically motivated violence against conservatives, Christians, and other marginalized communities not aligned with the administration's narrative.
Weaponizing the Justice Department
Attorney General Merrick Garland's appointment of an Anti-Hate Crimes Resources Coordinator and the FBI's elevation of hate crimes to a "national threat priority" raise concerns about selective enforcement. The Justice Department has been criticized for targeting conservative groups and individuals under the guise of combating "hate crimes," while downplaying or ignoring violence against pro-life activists, churches, and synagogues. This selective application of justice undermines the administration's claims of fostering unity.
The White House United We Stand Summit: Unity in Name Only
The White House United We Stand Summit purportedly aimed to address hate-fueled violence and promote a "more united America." Yet, the summit itself excluded voices from conservative, Christian, and pro-family organizations, effectively alienating half the nation. True unity cannot be achieved through exclusionary practices and ideological echo chambers. Instead, this event showcased the administration’s penchant for pandering to its base while vilifying dissenting opinions.
National Strategies: Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Double Standards
The administration's release of the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism in 2023 and the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia in 2024 reveals a glaring imbalance. While antisemitic incidents deserve condemnation and action, the strategy's focus on Islamophobia raises questions about its intent. Islamophobia is often a misused term to silence legitimate criticism of Islamist ideologies, such as Sharia law's incompatibility with Western values of freedom and equality. As a former Muslim leader, I have seen how accusations of Islamophobia are weaponized to suppress debate and shield radical elements from scrutiny.
Meanwhile, crimes against Christians, such as vandalism of churches, attacks on Christian pro-life centers, and blatant anti-Christian bias in media and academia, receive minimal attention. This selective outrage demonstrates the administration's prioritization of politically convenient narratives over genuine equality.
The Fallacy of Restoring the Nation's Soul
President Biden’s rhetoric about rising against hate and building a nation of dignity and respect rings hollow when juxtaposed with his administration’s actions. By endorsing divisive policies, pandering to specific groups, and ignoring violence and discrimination against others, the administration exacerbates divisions instead of healing them.
True restoration of the nation's soul requires a commitment to universal values—freedom of speech, religious liberty, and equal protection under the law. It requires acknowledging the contributions and struggles of all communities, not just those that align with a particular political agenda.
A Path Forward
As an Iranian-American who values both my heritage and my Christian faith, I believe the path to a stronger, more united America lies in rejecting identity politics and embracing universal principles. We must address hate crimes against all groups with equal vigor, protect free speech—even when it is uncomfortable—and promote a culture of respect that transcends political divides.
The Biden administration’s actions, far from restoring the nation's soul, risk deepening the cultural and political chasms that threaten to tear it apart. Only by embracing truth, accountability, and genuine inclusivity can we hope to build a nation worthy of dignity and respect.
Citations
- COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, Public Law No: 117-13. Congress.gov. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/937
- U.S. Department of Justice, Hate Crimes Enforcement and Prevention. DOJ.gov. https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes
- White House United We Stand Summit Overview. WhiteHouse.gov. https://www.whitehouse.gov/united-we-stand/
- U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. WhiteHouse.gov. https://www.whitehouse.gov/antisemitism-strategy/
- U.S. National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia. WhiteHouse.gov. https://www.whitehouse.gov/islamophobia-strategy/
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