Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) said that the executive order known as "Fostering the Future for American Children and Families" is an agency-wide effort to promote the welfare of foster children and also protect the constitutional rights of foster parents.
Johannes Widmalm-Delphonse is a senior counsel at ADF who spoke to AFN, saying that every child deserves a loving home.
"There's far too many children in the foster care system right now who don't have any safe place to live, but states are arbitrarily excluding loving families just because of their sincere religious beliefs," says Widmalm-Delphonse. "So, we applaud the administration's efforts to make sure these states are required to maximize the number of loving families to make sure that every child can go to a loving home."
It may seem like a no-brainer to some, but Widmalm-Delphonse said this kind of executive order is necessary. According to him, lawsuits have been filed in several states, such as Oregon, Washington, and Massachusetts, because Christian families are being excluded from fostering for not pushing gender ideology onto children.
For example, AFN reported previously that a Christian couple in Massachusetts tried to appeal having their license revoked from the state for not signing a “LGBTQUIA+ Non-Discrimination Policy.” The appeal was rejected, and the case is now being taken to court.
President Trump said he was "delighted" to sign the order, one that is "building on the fostering the future initiative to make America's foster care system better, fairer, and more effective than ever before."
Becky Dummermuth, senior counsel at First Liberty Institute, is also pleased with the president’s decision.
"Really happy to see the president step up and say that families with religious beliefs should not be disqualified from serving foster kids. There's such a need to help these hurting children, and we're really happy for these protections for their religious freedom," states Dummermuth.
First Lady Melania Trump was the one who organized the new order and was also present for the signing at the White House.
"It aims to establish a comprehensive network connecting federal departments and agencies, private sector businesses, higher learning institutions and charitable organizations," remarks the First Lady.
Widmalm-Delphonse points out these families have cared for dozens of children, even adopting ones with special needs. Furthermore, it is unfair to them and the children that the states are deeming them unfit to care for the children due to their Christian faith.
“We applaud any effort to make sure that the states are doing right by their children and putting children's best interests first rather than ideology," concludes Widmalm-Delphonse.
