President Trump Issues Executive Order Establishing a Religious Liberty Commission

Source: YouTube

President Donald Trump marked this year’s National Day of Prayer by signing an executive order creating a new White House commission on religious liberty. Speaking from the Rose Garden, he openly challenged the idea of separating church and state, telling attendees, “Let’s forget about that for one time.” The newly created Religious Liberty Commission will advise the administration on matters related to faith-based governance and the protection of religious expression.

The president said the commission is part of his broader effort to “bring religion back to our country.” The executive order came just days after a separate order establishing a task force to address what Trump described as a rising tide of anti-Christian bias. These moves, framed as efforts to restore moral clarity and constitutional freedoms, are raising alarms among civil liberties groups and legal scholars.

Critics argue that using government power to enforce or elevate religion may run afoul of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. This clause has long been interpreted to require a separation between religious institutions and state functions. Although the order avoids endorsing a specific faith, Trump’s public remarks and the strong Christian makeup of the commission suggest a sharp turn in how the executive branch interprets religious liberty.

Who’s on the Religious Liberty Commission and Why It Matters

The commission will be chaired by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and vice-chaired by Dr. Ben Carson. Other appointees include Bishop Robert Barron, Pastor Franklin Graham, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, and Rabbi Meir Soloveichik. Many have long advocated for expanding the role of religion in public life.

Carrie Prejean Boller, Dr. Phil McGraw, and constitutional attorney Kelly Shackelford also hold seats, making the body a diverse mix of clergy, academics, and political allies. While not all members are Christian, the commission’s composition reflects Trump’s deep ties to conservative Christian networks.

Supporters view the commission as a way to protect religious liberty in schools, public spaces, and workplaces. They argue that modern interpretations of the First Amendment have gone too far in restricting faith from public discourse. Trump’s backers also claim that in recent decades, the federal government has sidelined people of faith in favor of so-called secular neutrality.

Does the Executive Order Cross Legal and Constitutional Lines?

Constitutional experts have raised red flags. The Establishment Clause has traditionally limited the government’s ability to endorse religion. While previous presidents have supported faith-based initiatives, this executive order is notable for its overt rejection of church-state separation as a guiding principle.

Trump’s public comments add fuel to that concern. “They said, really there’s separation. I don’t know. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” he said. Legal scholars warn that such remarks, paired with official policy, could be used to argue that the federal government is violating the Constitution’s neutrality requirement.

Although commissions are often advisory, critics believe the symbolic weight of this particular panel could normalize increased religious influence in secular institutions. For example, the commission is expected to advise on agency grants and Department of Justice actions related to faith-based entities. That could translate into preferential treatment or legal defense strategies tailored toward religious actors.

A Test of Boundaries and Beliefs

The debate over religious liberty is not new, but this executive order has reignited a constitutional discussion. At its core is whether protecting religion means defending its right to exist without interference or whether it includes actively promoting faith as a national value.

For millions of Americans, especially religious conservatives, the new commission feels like long-awaited recognition. For others, it raises deep concerns about government overreach, favoritism, and the erosion of a secular foundation in policymaking.

Trump’s political base is likely to cheer this move. But as lawsuits or policy challenges emerge, the Religious Liberty Commission may become a focal point in defining the boundaries between church and state in modern America.

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