Avi K: most of us wouldn’t have asked, because we’re not looking for a heter. A Sheila is asked when a) one is truly unaware what the Halacha is or b) there are extenuating circumstances that necessitate a heter or more permissible course of action than a direct Halachik violation. Here’s where we see things differently — I don’t think attending a party or church to celebrate the President’s victory was an extenuating circumstance. Mr. Trump had many Orthodox Jews working for him, and from all accounts I’ve read, he NEVER made them work on Shabbos or even a three day Yom Tov when in the middle of working on an important deal. So all those scare mongering about them pleasing the President or face serious retribution is nonsense. He has Kushner to thank for his win, whether he attended those parties or not.
And your hishtadlus comparison is not at all accurate. Also, I was discussing the church issue as well, and no one mentioned anything about a shaila there. And finally, some Rabbis are so much more lenient than others (assuming it was asked in a fair manner) and shouldn’t be deemed Orthodox.