It started with a headline that looked like a fever dream. If you were scrolling through social media recently, you probably saw some version of it: "Trump declares atheists terrorists." It sounds like the kind of world-ending decree that sends the internet into a 48-hour tailspin. But honestly, the reality is a lot more "legal-speak" and a lot less "clapping people in irons for not going to church."
The truth is somewhere in the messy middle of a National Security Memorandum and a very specific list of "indicators" for radicalism.
To understand where this rumor came from, you have to look at a document signed in late 2025. It’s called National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 (NSPM-7). This isn't a speech or a tweet; it's a directive to the FBI and the Department of Justice. In it, the administration laid out a new strategy for "Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence."
Here is the kicker: the memo lists "anti-Christianity" as a common thread in violent extremism.
The NSPM-7 Memo: Is It Actually About Atheists?
Technically, no. The document doesn't use the word "atheist" as a blanket label for terrorists. If you’re someone who just happens to think the universe is a beautiful accident of physics, the FBI isn't knocking on your door tomorrow. However, the language used in NSPM-7 is what legal experts call "dangerously broad."
The memo links "anti-Christianity," "anti-capitalism," and "anti-Americanism" as markers for potential domestic terrorism. This is where the confusion—and the fear—kicks in. For many secular organizations, "anti-Christianity" is a vague enough term to be used against anyone who challenges the role of religion in government.
✨ Don't miss: Economics Related News Articles: What the 2026 Headlines Actually Mean for Your Wallet
Basically, the administration is arguing that if you are hostile toward "traditional American views on family and religion," you might be part of a network that "foments political violence." It’s a classic case of guilt by association. By grouping philosophical or political beliefs (like secularism or anti-capitalism) with actual violent acts (like arson or assault), the line between "having an opinion" and "being a threat" gets incredibly blurry.
Why People Are Panicking (and Why They Aren't)
You've got groups like the ACLU and the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) sounding the alarm. They argue that by labeling "anti-Christianity" as a terrorist indicator, the government is essentially saying that secular activism is a gateway to violence.
The ACLU was pretty blunt about it. They called the memo a "fever dream of conspiracies" designed to silence political opponents. Their concern isn't just about the words; it’s about the Joint Terrorism Task Forces. These are the guys who do the actual investigating. If they are told that "hostility toward religion" is a red flag, they might start monitoring secular student groups, atheist conventions, or even just people who tweet a bit too hard against the establishment of a state religion.
On the flip side, supporters of the move say this is just about protecting churches. They point to the rise in vandalism against houses of worship and argue that the government has a duty to track groups that are motivated by a hatred of faith. To them, this isn't about atheism; it's about "radical left violence."
Breaking Down the "Indicators"
Let’s look at what the memo actually says. It identifies several "indicia" (that's just a fancy word for signs) that law enforcement should watch out for.
🔗 Read more: Why a Man Hits Girl for Bullying Incidents Go Viral and What They Reveal About Our Breaking Point
- Anti-Christianity: This is the big one. It's often paired with "hostility toward traditional American views."
- Anti-Capitalism: If you're out there protesting corporate greed, the memo suggests you might be a hop, skip, and a jump away from radicalization.
- Anti-Americanism: A catch-all for anyone criticizing the fundamental structure of the U.S. government.
It’s important to remember that these are listed as motivations for violence, not just beliefs. But as Ken Klippenstein and other investigative journalists have noted, when you start monitoring people "before they result in violent political acts," you're entering "Minority Report" territory. It’s pre-crime stuff.
What This Means for Secular Americans
If you’re an atheist, you aren't a "terrorist" by law. There is actually no formal "Domestic Terrorist" list in the same way there is for foreign groups like Al-Qaeda. Congress hasn't passed a law for that, mostly because it would be a First Amendment nightmare.
Instead, what we have is a rhetorical designation. By calling certain groups or ideologies "terrorist," the President is using a "bully pulpit" to stigmatize them. It makes it easier for banks to shut down their accounts (a process called "debanking") or for social media platforms to flag their content.
The Real-World Impact: The Religious Liberty Commission
To see where this is going, you have to look at the Religious Liberty Commission established in May 2025. Led by Dan Patrick and Ben Carson, this group is tasked with "eradicating anti-Christian bias."
Their goal is to protect the "free exercise of religion," but their critics argue they are only interested in one specific kind of religion. If the commission decides that a secular lawsuit to remove a 50-foot cross from a public park is "anti-Christian hostility," that organization could suddenly find itself on the radar of the "Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias."
💡 You might also like: Why are US flags at half staff today and who actually makes that call?
It’s a circular logic:
- Challenge a religious policy.
- The challenge is labeled "anti-Christian."
- "Anti-Christianity" is a terrorist indicator.
- The group is investigated as a potential threat.
Actionable Insights: What Can You Actually Do?
It’s easy to feel like the sky is falling when you see headlines about atheists and terrorists. But knowing the legal reality helps you navigate the noise. Here is how to handle the current landscape:
- Read the actual documents. Don't rely on a screenshot of a headline. Search for "NSPM-7" or "Executive Order 14202." Seeing the original text helps you see where the hyperbole begins.
- Support your local "Watchdogs." Groups like the Interfaith Alliance and the ACLU are currently the ones filing the lawsuits to stop these broad definitions from becoming law-enforcement policy.
- Know your rights. Even with a memorandum, the First Amendment still exists. Speech is protected until it becomes a "true threat" or "incitement to imminent lawless action."
- Stay engaged with local policy. A lot of these federal directives rely on local police and "Joint Terrorism Task Forces." Knowing how your local city council views these directives can make a big difference in how they are applied in your backyard.
The "atheists are terrorists" narrative is a classic example of how a grain of truth—in this case, a very real and controversial national security memo—can be amplified into something that sounds like a dystopian movie plot. While the government hasn't rounded up non-believers, the shift in how "hostility toward religion" is treated by federal agencies is a massive change that bears watching.
Keep a close eye on the July 4, 2026 deadline. That’s when the Religious Liberty Commission is supposed to release its final report to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. That report will likely be the blueprint for how these "anti-Christian bias" policies are enforced for the rest of the decade.