WASHINGTON (RNS) — Paula White, a Pentecostal preacher and longtime adviser to President Donald Trump, has been tapped to head the White House’s Faith and Opportunity Initiative, a successor to previous administrations’ faith-based office that coordinates outreach to religious communities.
“Paula White is the Advisor to the (White House) Faith & Opportunity Initiative,” read a statement from the White House sent to Religion News Service. A White House spokesperson later said, “She is heading up that initiative.”
The news of White’s new role was first reported by The New York Times.
The appointment of the popular author and former pastor of a Florida megachurch, sometimes called “the Trump whisperer” for her closeness to the president, has been long anticipated. Two individuals who regularly engage with the federal government told RNS earlier this year that a federal official explained to them that the Florida pastor was expected to head the agency. The individuals did not want their identities revealed out of concern of reprisal.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State was quick to denounce White’s appointment on Friday (Nov. 1).
“Televangelist Paula White is unfit to serve in the position of advisor to the White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative,” read a statement from Americans United President Rachel Laser. “She has no experience in government…
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