The Bulletin Evangelicals Abandon PEPFAR, Churches Endorse Politicians, and the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Hurts the Poor
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Jul 11, 2025 Peter Wehner, a contributing writer at The Atlantic and former speechwriter for George W. Bush, dives into the troubling trend of evangelicals pulling support for PEPFAR, a crucial HIV/AIDS initiative. He discusses the recent IRS ruling allowing churches to endorse political candidates, raising concerns about church and state separation. Alongside Ingrid Delgado from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, they examine the impacts of the 'Big Beautiful Bill' on vulnerable communities, revealing the complex intersection of faith, politics, and social justice.
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PEPFAR's Critical Role in Africa
- PEPFAR was vital in stabilizing Africa amid a catastrophic HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1990s.
- The initiative prevented mass suffering and deaths, impacting entire communities and geopolitics.
Soft Power Through PEPFAR
- PEPFAR enhanced U.S. soft power by saving lives and building goodwill in the global South.
- This goodwill aided U.S. military and diplomatic relationships in regions typically unsupportive of America.
Political Motives Crippling PEPFAR
- The Trump administration halted PEPFAR without moral or political justification, damaging vital medical infrastructure.
- The shutdown caused immediate suffering and deaths, with recovery being slow and difficult.
