The growing influence of the American Christian conservatives in Europe | Zembla International

Around the world, conservative Christian organisations are fighting for traditional family values. Even at the expense of basic democratic rights, experts argue. With Donald Trump as US president, the influence of these groups is growing. Zembla investigates a network that wants to restore the ‘natural order’ by introducing stricter laws against abortion, homosexuality and LGBTQ+, contraception and divorce.

Our investigation begins in Washington DC. Investigative journalist Sara Posner says the January 6 United States Capitol attack was full of Christian symbolism. Analysts point to crosses, banners of Jesus with a MAGA cap, and statues of saints, among other things.

So now that Donald Trump is back in the White House, it is becoming increasingly easy for the lobbyists to transform America into a conservative, Christian state. A detailed strategic plan has even been written for this purpose: Project 2025.

Project 2025 comes from the quiver of the conservative Heritage Foundation. The group wants to expand the president's power far and wide. For instance, they want to get rid of critical officials, scrap climate policy and deport immigrants. In addition, the playbook contains many conservative Christian plans.

Also seen in Washington DC are Paul Dans and Rob Schenck. Schenck was an influential lobbyist for Christian legislation for decades and had contacts at the very highest level. As more and more Christian leaders rally behind Donald Trump, he makes a remarkable decision that will completely change his life: he breaks with his conservative fellow believers. Schenck still believes, but no longer supports the actions of lobby groups, because he believes they harm people.

Some of the organisations behind Project 2025 are also active in Europe. Jelle Postma, former AIVD officer and director of Justice for Prosperity, explains exactly what the organisations do here. They support like-minded people with lawsuits, political influence and money. Millions of dollars are involved.

Where the influence of conservative-Christian groups can lead can be seen in Poland. There, until recently, the radical right was in power. Behind the scenes of Polish politics, a Catholic group played a crucial role in introducing conservative legislation: Ordo Iuris. For instance, the group was the driving force behind an extremely strict abortion law tabled in the Polish parliament in 2016. The law led to mass demonstrations. Klementyna Suchanow is one of the leaders of the protest movement. She says the authorities regularly intervened harshly during the demonstrations.

A Dutchman also turned up in the network of conservative Christian lobbyists: Henk Jan van Schothorst. He appears to have many contacts in African countries. After he visits Uganda with Sharon Slater, the Ugandan government issues a press statement saying they are “united against homosexuality”. Africa expert Kristof Titeca explains more about this.

Director: Sander Rietveld
Researcher: Marco de Lange
Chief editor: Roelof Bosma

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