BREAKING U.S. President Trump Meets with the New Catholic Bishops' President Archbishop Coakley at the White House

President Trump and USCCB President Meet at White House

On January 12, 2026, President Donald Trump held a private meeting with Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, the newly elected president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The introductory meeting, which included Vice President J.D. Vance and other administration officials, focused on establishing a dialogue regarding "areas of mutual concern."

Archbishop Coakley voiced his concerns in a recent interview with Face the Nation on CBS News, he said of Trump: “I think we have opportunities to work together. We have opportunities to speak frankly with one another.” it aired 12/21:

The Official Facebook Page of the U.S.C.C.B. wrote:

"Archbishop Coakley had the opportunity for introductory meetings with President Trump, Vice President Vance, and other Administration officials, in which they discussed areas of mutual concern, as well as areas for further dialogue. Archbishop Coakley is grateful for the engagement and looks forward to ongoing discussions."

Key Points of the Meeting

• Establishing Ties: This served as an introductory session for Archbishop Coakley, who was elected USCCB president in November 2025.

• A Rare Occurrence: Private meetings between the USCCB president and the U.S. President are not guaranteed; Coakley’s predecessor, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, did not meet with either President Biden or President Trump during his term.

• Broad Agenda: While specific details were not disclosed, the USCCB described the discussion as covering both shared goals and areas requiring further negotiation.

Major Areas of Tension and Agreement

The meeting occurs amidst a complex relationship between the Catholic Church and the Trump administration:

• Immigration: The bishops recently issued a "special pastoral message" (their first since 2013) opposing indiscriminate mass deportations and dehumanizing rhetoric, citing concerns over religious liberty and the ability to provide charitable care.

• Abortion Funding: The USCCB recently defended the Hyde Amendment (which bans federal funding for elective abortions) after President Trump suggested House Republicans should be "flexible" on the policy during health care negotiations.

• Shared Ground: The bishops have historically commended the administration's stances on gender policy and specific religious freedom protections.

• Capital Punishment: The USCCB continues to maintain a stance against the death penalty, a point of frequent disagreement with the administration’s policies.

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Historical Context of USCCB-Presidential Meetings

President	USCCB Leader	Meeting Status
Donald Trump (2026)	Archbishop Paul Coakley	Met (Introductory)
Joe Biden	Archbishop Timothy Broglio	No Meeting
Donald Trump (First Term)	Cardinal Daniel DiNardo	Brief Meeting (2017)
Barack Obama	Archbishops Kurtz & Dolan	Multiple Meetings