Pres. Trump's State of the Union Address Points Way Forward on Making America Good and Prosperous

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump's first State of the Union Address:

"President Trump turned his State of the Union Address into an American pep rally. Cheering the American people for helping one another overcome a year of natural and man-made tragedies, the president cast a winning vision of unity. This is a president who is deeply committed to doing something rare in American politics -- fulfilling campaign promises. In governing with courage and conviction, he is advancing policies essential to making America good and prosperous.

"The president spoke from the heart about our shared values as Americans. One of those values that binds us together is reflected in our motto; that we are one nation under God. President Trump understands that our freedom to unite under God has been under steady assault-- and he's spent the last year reversing this devastating trend. The reality is that if Americans don't have the freedom to live according to their faith -- whether it's in the home, in the workplace, or in school -- then we really can't be free.

"The president tonight noted his 'historic actions to protect religious liberty.' This president knows that religious liberty isn't found in political proclamations, but in the policies they inspire. That's why this president who has not wavered in his determination to preserve freedom for those yet to be born.

"Yes, a lot changed during the Obama years. America went from being a zealous advocate of religious freedom and human rights for all people, to being a promoter of special rights for a few. But tonight's speech is another reminder that times are changing back again. America now has the ability to promote and protect religious freedom both here and abroad.

"The president also spoke tonight about rebuilding the military. The military continues to recover from years of depleted resources and dangerously low morale as the previous administration treated the military as a laboratory of liberal social experimentation. Those Obama era policies led to chaplains being disciplined for their faith, and religious speech being censored. We must remain vigilant to ensure that laws and military policies protecting religious liberty are enforced, ensuring that service members have the freedom to not only believe, but act on those beliefs.

"President Trump tonight opened the door even wider to policies that make America a good and prosperous nation," concluded Perkins.

SOURCE Family Research Council