Wheaton College Faces Backlash for Congratulations Post to Trump’s OMB Director

Wheaton College, a prominent Christian liberal arts institution, recently issued an apology for a Facebook post that had congratulated alumnus Russ Vought following his confirmation as the director of the Office of Management and Budget. This post sparked considerable online criticism, ultimately leading the college to delete it.

On Friday, the college celebrated Vought’s confirmation by posting a message that included a call for prayers in support of him after a narrow 53-47 Senate vote confirmed his appointment. The post featured a photograph of Vought, a Wheaton graduate from the class of 1998.

The original message stated, “Wheaton College congratulates and prays for 1998 graduate Russell Vought regarding his senatorial confirmation to serve as the White House Director of the Office of Management and Budget!” However, the college removed the post within 24 hours amid intense backlash.

On Saturday, the institution replaced the controversial post with a new message that addressed the backlash directly. Wheaton College explained the circumstances surrounding their initial congratulatory post.

Clarification from Wheaton College

The college issued a statement which read, “On Friday, Wheaton College posted a congratulations and a call to prayer for an alumnus who received confirmation to a White House post. The recognition and prayer is something we would typically do for any graduate who reached that level of government. However, the political situation surrounding the appointment led to a significant concern expressed online. It was not our intention to embroil the College in a political discussion or dispute. Our institutional and theological commitments are clear that the College, as a non-profit institution, does not make political endorsements. Wheaton College’s focus is on Christ and His Kingdom.”

Institution’s Non-Partisanship Stance

The college emphasized its position on political involvement by linking to its institutional statements. These highlighted Wheaton College as a non-partisan entity, a stance critical in today’s politically charged environment.

According to the statement, “With respect to electoral politics, Wheaton College is a deliberately non-partisan institution. This is both for missional purposes and legal reasons. Within the evangelical community—both domestically and internationally—we encompass a spectrum of political perspectives. The College’s moral commitments on the sanctity of life, human sexuality, ethnic diversity, racial unity, justice, poverty, and stewardship intersect with politics complexly, not simplistically, especially in a two-party system.”

The statement invited members of the campus community to examine diverse political perspectives in light of Scripture and to engage in dialogue with Christian charity.

Reactions to the Backlash

Wheaton College did not take the backlash lightly. In a statement to the media, they acknowledged that the social media post had attracted more than 1,000 hostile responses within hours, predominantly from individuals expressing incendiary commentary regarding Vought. A college representative stated that they removed the post to prevent it from turning into a distracting political furor.

They clarified, “It was not our intention to embroil the College or Mr. Vought in a political discussion or dispute. Thus, we removed the post, rather than allow it to become an ongoing online distraction. This was in no way an apology for having expressed congratulations or for suggesting prayers for our alumnus.”

Political Controversy and Diverging Opinions

The apology from Wheaton College drew its own set of criticisms. Many individuals took to social media, particularly X, to express their discontent. Critics accused the college of capitulating to a perceived leftist outrage. For instance, Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee expressed disappointment on social media, commenting, “Apparently @WheatonCollege isn’t happy for its graduates who attain one of the most powerful positions in the U.S. government unless they’re progressive.”

Furthermore, conservative commentator Allie Beth Stuckey described the incident as representative of a wider trend, suggesting that Wheaton reflected the attitude of a group of evangelical leaders hesitant to firmly confront social issues in a political context.

Voices from the Conservative Sphere

Townhall.com columnist Spencer Brown called the situation “incredibly weak and embarrassing,” while Bahnsen Group founder David Bahnsen labeled it an example of cowardice. Bahnsen argued that congratulating an alumnus for a major government position should not warrant a backlash, especially when a call for prayer was included.

He further stated that Wheaton College’s focus on Christ and His Kingdom should not exclude a discussion on political matters, emphasizing that faith should inform one’s approach to societal issues.

The Final Word from Vought

In light of the unfolding events, Vought himself responded with a brief but poignant comment on social media, merely stating, “SAD!” This succinct response encapsulated the sentiment of many who viewed the college’s actions as a disheartening retreat from support for one of their own.

The incident highlights the complex intersection of faith and politics in contemporary society, especially within Christian institutions. As Wheaton College navigates these turbulent waters, its commitment to its foundational principles will likely face further scrutiny from both supporters and opponents alike.