US Conservative Group Urges Trump to Intervene in Australian Church Probe

Turning Point USA faith leader Lucas Miles has urged President Donald Trump to intervene in an Australian parliamentary hearing investigating the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, citing concerns that the inquiry is politically motivated and could threaten religious freedoms.

Miles, vice president of faith at Turning Point USA, stated that he has contacted the White House Faith Office and several administration officials to make them aware of the situation. The controversy centers on an Oct. 16 parliamentary hearing where Australian lawmakers questioned the church's global leader, Bruce Hales, about his religious beliefs and their influence on church members' personal lives, including marriage, housing, clothing, and pet ownership.

During the hearing, Independent MP Monique Ryan questioned Hales about whether members viewed him as an "elect vessel" or a direct messenger from God, and if they sought his guidance on various personal matters. Liberal MP Ben Small objected to the line of questioning, describing it as "patently ridiculous" and outside the inquiry's scope. The committee chair, however, allowed the questioning to continue.

Miles described the situation as a "politically motivated witch hunt," arguing that Hales was summoned to address electoral conduct, not to defend church doctrines. Hales denied directing, funding, or coordinating political campaigning for the 2025 Australian federal election, asserting that church members acted independently. He told the committee that he had no involvement in any members participating in the election.

Lawmakers also explored whether a sermon by Hales, in which he stated Australia needed to be "happy again, smiling again," influenced members' political activities, pointing to campaign messaging that echoed his words. Hales' son, Gareth, acknowledged encouraging those already involved in campaigning but denied directing an organized church campaign.

The parliamentary committee is also investigating allegations of intimidation and coordinated campaigning. Church leaders have denied organizing or condoning any improper conduct, and Hales stated he does not support harassment or intimidation, holding individual members accountable for their own actions.

Miles expressed concern that the Australian inquiry could set a precedent for religious freedom in the United States. "If this can happen in Australia, if it can happen places like England and Canada, it certainly can happen America if we don't stay alert," he said, emphasizing that Christians should be free to participate in politics without their churches being automatically held responsible for individual choices.

He called on Trump to exert diplomatic pressure on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to end the inquiry, advocating for "faith-based diplomacy" to protect religious liberty abroad. He argued that "religious liberty means nothing if it only protects those whose beliefs the government approves of."

Hales confirmed he had never met Trump but understood that some church members in New York had briefly met the president. Turning Point USA, where Miles serves, has previously expressed support for the church, and questions were raised during the hearing about whether church leaders had met with the Trump administration.

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, founded approximately 200 years ago, adheres to a "Doctrine of Separation" that distances members from certain secular activities. The church rejects characterizations of it as a cult, stating its members freely practice their faith and contribute to their communities. The White House had not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the situation.