A progressive Catholic outlet is demanding Vice President JD Vance choose “Trump or Jesus,” turning a Minneapolis shooting into a national fight over faith, immigration enforcement, and political loyalty.
NCR’s Target: Vance’s Public Faith vs. His Immigration Messaging
National Catholic Reporter, a publication widely viewed as aligned with progressive Catholic politics, is escalating its criticism of Vice President JD Vance by tying his Catholic identity directly to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The op-ed highlighted by The Daily Beast argues Vance is practicing “cafeteria Catholicism,” invoking the Gospel warning about serving “two masters.” The immediate spark was Vance’s response to a Minneapolis killing during anti-ICE unrest.
According to The Daily Beast’s summary of the op-ed, NCR writer John Grosso framed Vance’s public comments as a moral test: whether he prioritizes Christian teaching on dignity and mercy or political loyalty to the enforcement posture of the administration. That framing is not a neutral doctrinal debate; it’s a political challenge aimed at the highest-ranking Catholic in the U.S. government. Vance’s office did not provide a response to The Daily Beast.
The Minneapolis Shooting at the Center of the Dispute
The conflict centers on the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse who was shot by masked federal agents in Minneapolis amid protests tied to immigration enforcement operations. The Daily Beast reports video shows agents forcing Pretti down and removing a legally carried gun before shots were fired. That description is now central because it clashes with rhetoric circulated after the shooting portraying Pretti as a direct, lethal threat.
The Daily Beast reports Vance reposted Stephen Miller calling Pretti an “assassin” on X soon after the incident. The next day, Vance described federal officers as “victims” while defending enforcement actions described as the Department of Homeland Security’s largest operation. If the video depiction summarized by The Daily Beast is accurate, the gap between claims and visuals will continue to drive public distrust—especially in a country already skeptical of selective narratives from activist media and political operatives.
Why the “Trump or Jesus” Framing Matters Politically
Grosso’s line—“Choose wisely—Trump or Jesus?”—is designed to force a wedge between religious voters and the administration’s enforcement agenda. That message resonates with a specific segment of Catholic media, but it also risks flattening a complex policy question into a loyalty test. Immigration enforcement is a government duty involving border integrity, criminal networks, and public safety, not merely a symbolic debate about compassion. The op-ed treats the policy dispute as evidence of spiritual hypocrisy.
Vance has previously argued that his politics align with Catholic social teaching, and The Daily Beast notes he converted to Catholicism in 2019 after an evangelical upbringing. That biographical detail is why critics focus so intensely on his religious language and public identity. For conservatives, the practical concern is whether the conversation stays anchored to facts—what happened in Minneapolis, what policies are being implemented, and whether federal actions complied with law—rather than becoming a moral weapon used to shame dissent.
Broader Church–White House Friction Over Migrants and Authority
The dispute is unfolding alongside broader tension between Catholic leadership and the Trump White House regarding immigration, including controversies involving detained migrants and access to religious sacraments. The Daily Beast describes disagreements involving Pope Leo XIV and references earlier critiques from Pope Francis before his death. Those papal interventions, as presented in the reporting, emphasize migrant dignity and warn against reducing love and obligation into ranked categories that limit concern for outsiders.
At the same time, local church voices in Minnesota responded to the violence with calls to reject hatred and pray for the dead, according to the reporting. That language differs sharply from social-media labeling and rapid political conclusions. From a constitutional perspective, the key point is accountability: if federal agents used deadly force, the public deserves clear answers and transparent review. From a political perspective, activists will use ambiguity to inflame division.
What’s Verified, What’s Disputed, and What Still Needs Answers
The reporting highlights a sharp factual dispute: administration-aligned rhetoric described Pretti as an “assassin” or implied he was an imminent threat, while video summarized by The Daily Beast is cited as contradicting that narrative. Without the underlying investigative record made public, outside observers cannot fully verify the sequence of actions, commands, and perceived threats that led to shots fired. The Daily Beast notes no response from Vance’s representatives.
A leading Catholic newspaper has made it clear that the VP has chosen to serve Trump, rather than follow the teachings of Jesus.https://t.co/CKijSExJvs
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) January 28, 2026
For conservative readers, this episode is a reminder that legacy and activist media outlets often frame enforcement through a moral lens that pressures officials to retreat from basic government responsibilities. At the same time, the federal government’s credibility depends on precision, transparency, and restraint—especially in politically charged operations. If DHS operations continue at scale, officials will need consistent public messaging and documented facts, not viral labels, to maintain trust and legitimacy.
Sources:
Daily Beast: ‘Leading Catholic Newspaper’ Slams JD Vance for Putting MAGA Over Jesus
Catholic Vance Panics as White House Slams Pope
Vance Defends His Marriage After ‘Disgusting’ Claim He Threw Usha Under a Bus
Pope Francis’ Last Act Was to Give JD Vance a Lesson About Migrants