Pope Leo XIV Appoints Three Trump Critics as U.S. Bishops, Signaling Strong Stance on Social Issues

Pope Leo XIV has appointed three new bishops in the United States, all of whom have been vocal critics of former President Donald Trump. Evelio Menjivar, a formerly undocumented immigrant, will serve as the new bishop for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in West Virginia. Meanwhile, Gary Studniewski and Robert Boxie III will be auxiliary bishops in Washington, D.C.

These appointments reflect a deliberate choice by the pope to select leaders in the U.S. who are unafraid to challenge the Trump administration on key social issues. The move underscores the Vatican’s alignment with progressive values and its stance against policies perceived as harmful to marginalized communities.

Meet the Newly Appointed Bishops

Bishop Evelio Menjivar: A Voice for Immigrant Rights

Menjivar, who immigrated to the U.S. from El Salvador as a teenager—hidden in the trunk of a car—has been a prominent advocate for immigrant rights. In a 2023 op-ed for the National Catholic Reporter, he condemned the Trump administration’s immigration policies, describing them as an aggressive “shock and awe” campaign with questionable legality.

“The federal government has pursued a ‘shock and awe’ campaign of aggressive threats and highly visible operations of questionable legality that go far beyond mere immigration ‘enforcement.’ We must stand with those at risk … and we cannot let the dark side of anti-immigrant animus take hold.”

Menjivar’s appointment to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston marks a significant moment for the Catholic Church in West Virginia, where immigration remains a contentious issue.

Father Gary Studniewski: Condemning the January 6 Insurrection

Father Studniewski, a former U.S. Army chaplain who serves in the Capitol Hill area, has been outspoken about the dangers of political extremism. In a 2021 interview with Today’s Catholic, he described the January 6 insurrection as “very disturbing, very disheartening.”

“It was a normal day, until all that sickening unrest in the afternoon.”

His appointment as an auxiliary bishop in Washington, D.C., sends a strong message about the Catholic Church’s commitment to defending democratic institutions and condemning political violence.

Father Robert Boxie III: Critiquing Trump’s War on DEI Initiatives

Father Boxie, who serves at Howard University, has been a vocal opponent of efforts to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. In a 2023 statement, he expressed frustration over the regression in social progress under the Trump administration.

“In a lot of ways we have made great progress, but in so many ways, I feel like we’re regressing. It’s really frustrating—especially this moment that we’re living in. The attacks on ‘DEI’—I don’t even know what that means anymore. It’s a term that’s been hijacked. It means a lot of things to a lot of different people.”

His appointment highlights the Catholic Church’s support for DEI initiatives and its opposition to policies that undermine social equity.

What These Appointments Signal for the Catholic Church in the U.S.

The appointments of Menjivar, Studniewski, and Boxie reflect Pope Leo XIV’s strategic alignment with progressive social values. By selecting bishops who have openly criticized Trump-era policies, the Vatican is signaling its stance on key issues such as immigration, political extremism, and social equity.

These moves also underscore the Catholic Church’s role as a moral authority in the U.S., particularly in addressing systemic injustices and advocating for marginalized communities. The appointments come at a time when the Church is increasingly vocal about its opposition to policies that it views as harmful to human dignity and social cohesion.