Senior White House immigration adviser Tom Homan delivered pointed criticism of the Catholic Church on Tuesday, urging religious leaders to refrain from political commentary on border policy. The remarks followed President Trump's social media attacks against Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, creating a significant rift between the administration and one of America's largest religious institutions.
"I love the Catholic Church," Homan told reporters. "I just wish they'd stick to fixing the church because there are issues—I know because I'm a member—instead of politics." The border official specifically defended the administration's enforcement measures, claiming a 97 percent reduction in border crossings has decreased sexual assaults, migrant deaths during transit, and deportations.
Homan extended an invitation for dialogue, stating, "I wish they'd sit down with me and hear my experiences over the last 40 years and maybe they'd understand why a secure border saves lives." He concluded bluntly, "I wish they'd stay out of immigration because they don't know what they're talking about." Homan joins several prominent Catholics in the Trump administration, including Vice President Vance, First Lady Melania Trump, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Papal Criticism and Presidential Response
The friction stems from Pope Leo XIV's repeated condemnation of U.S. immigration policy. In October, the pontiff described "inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States" and called administration actions "extremely disrespectful." This criticism expanded beyond domestic policy when the pope spoke against the administration's approach to Iran, prompting Trump's Sunday social media response.
Trump labeled Pope Leo "WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policy," writing, "I don't want a Pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. I don't want a Pope who thinks it's terrible that America attacked Venezuela." The president added, "I don't want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I'm doing exactly what I was elected." The pope has since stated he does not "fear" the Trump administration, while numerous Catholic leaders have denounced the president's comments.
Administration Unity and Internal GOP Dynamics
Vice President Vance downplayed the controversy on Monday, calling Trump's comments "not newsworthy" and suggesting "it would be best for the Vatican to stick to matters of morality" while the president handles policy. This internal alignment occurs amid broader Republican divisions over immigration legislation, particularly regarding the Dignity Act, which has exposed significant party fractures.
The administration faces additional scrutiny after Trump posted and later removed an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Christ-like figure healing a sick person. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) revealed he personally advised Trump to remove the image, telling reporters, "I talked to the president about it as soon as I saw it and told him that I don't think it was being received in the same way he intended it." Johnson added that Trump didn't view the image as "sacrilegious at all" and agreed to take it down.
Homan stated he hadn't seen the controversial image, keeping his focus on border policy defense. The administration continues to advocate for its enforcement approach even as some Republican-led communities resist federal detention facility plans, highlighting the complex political landscape surrounding immigration implementation.
The confrontation with the Catholic Church represents another front in the administration's broader conflicts with institutional critics. As the White House pushes its immigration agenda, including efforts toward securing long-term border funding through budget reconciliation, the clash with religious leadership adds a moral dimension to an already polarized policy debate. The pope's continued criticism suggests this tension will persist as both sides maintain fundamentally different views on humanitarian obligations and national sovereignty.
