Pope Leo XIV has announced appointments of several U.S. bishops that have been characterized by critics as anti-Trump following a public dispute with the administration.
Among those named are clergy who have publicly criticized recent federal efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and intensify immigration enforcement actions.
Washington Auxiliary Bishop Evelio Menjivar, designated for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in West Virginia, previously stated that immigration enforcement policies have instilled fear within immigrant communities. He described the federal government’s approach as a “shock and awe” campaign involving aggressive threats and operations of questionable legality.
Father Robert Boxie III, appointed as the new auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Washington, has expressed concerns about the current state of DEI efforts. In an interview with OSV News in 2025, he said: “In a lot of ways we have made great progress, but in so many ways, I feel like we’re regressing.” Boxie further noted that the term DEI has been “hijacked” and emphasized: “We are a diverse nation with people from all over the world. Diversity is a good thing. Diversity is of God.”
Another newly appointed bishop described the violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 as “sickening unrest.”
Some have dismissed any political dimension to these appointments, asserting that they do not carry partisan implications.
