U.S. politician criticizing UOC persecution to head Trump’s Department

Vivek Ramaswamy and Donald Trump. Photo: Focus

New U.S. President Donald Trump announced the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency, which will be headed by former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and entrepreneur Elon Musk, reports apnews.

Trump stated that Musk and Ramaswamy would collaborate with the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to "implement large-scale structural reforms and create an entrepreneurial approach in government like never before." He added that this move would shock government systems.

Vivek Ramaswamy is known for his statements regarding the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. During a Republican debate in Miami in November 2023, he stated that Ukraine is not a democratic country because it persecutes Christians. "This is really what's happening. They're doing this to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. They've banned them. The Ukrainian parliament just did this last week with our dollars' support," Ramaswamy said, urging his fellow debaters to condemn the Ukrainian authorities "for banning Christianity".

It is worth noting that JD Vance, the U.S. Vice President from Donald Trump's team, has repeatedly condemned the Ukrainian government for its persecution of the UOC. In particular, he stated that if the war leads to the destruction of the Christian community in Ukraine, it would be a shame for the USA.

Read also

Priest's son of UOC Rivne Eparchy killed at the front

The UOC expressed condolences to Archpriest Valentyn Hodun in connection with the death of his soldier son in the Donetsk region.

US college plans to buy Masonic temple to convert it into Catholic shrine

In the state of Ohio, Catholics plan to purchase a Masonic building, consecrate it, and perform a rite of exorcism.

Biblical Samaria joins UNESCO World Heritage List

UNESCO has included the Palestinian village of Sebastia in the list of endangered sites.

Tajikistan bans wearing hijabs and Arab clothing

Tajikistan has tightened control over the wearing of hijabs and Arab clothing, while men with beards are being forced to shave under threat of fines.

Met. Serhiy of Tulchyn prays with persecuted UOC community in Novozhyvotiv

The ruling hierarch of the Tulchyn Eparchy supported the faithful of the Church of the Intercession, who have been forced to worship in a makeshift space after their church was seized and their prayer house destroyed.

DESS gives Pochaiv Lavra 30 days to break ties with Moscow

Ukraine's State Service for Ethnic Policy has ordered the monastery to prove within one month that it has no ties to the Russian Orthodox Church.