It started as a sunny, ceremonial morning in the Rose Garden — but by the time President Trump stepped away from the podium, the constitutional stakes had shifted.
On the 2025 National Day of Prayer, Trump didn’t just talk about faith — he rolled out a sweeping set of religious liberty initiatives, capped off by an executive order that could redraw the line between church and state.
He promised stronger protections for faith-based groups. He pushed new policies for healthcare and adoption. He named a high-profile Religious Liberty Commission. And he claimed, yet again, to have gotten rid of the Johnson Amendment — a controversial statement that, legally speaking, remains misleading.
So what did Trump say — and what does it all actually mean?
The Ceremony: Prayer, Politics, and Powerful Symbolism
The event began with a prayer from First Lady Melania Trump and quickly moved into a mix of personal testimonies, policy announcements, and constitutional fireworks. Trump took the opportunity to rally a deeply loyal base of evangelical leaders, conservative Catholic figures, and Orthodox Jewish rabbis, while reiterating his administration’s role in restoring what he calls “real” religious freedom.
“We proudly come together as one nation under God,” Trump said. “And people are proud to be using that beautiful word again — God.”
It was more than symbolism. It was a stage-set announcement of a serious shift in federal posture toward religion in public life — and a direct challenge to what Trump described as years of “silencing people of faith.”
Big Reveal: A New Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty
The headline moment came with the formal creation of a Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty, a body tasked with producing a report on:
- The state of religious freedom in America
- Threats facing faith-based communities
- Recommendations for preserving and expanding religious protections
Appointed to lead the commission? Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, known for his vocal support of Christian conservative causes. Other appointees include Pastor Paula White, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Dr. Phil McGraw, and Bishop Robert Barron.
“This commission will ensure that America never stops protecting the right to worship — not just in private, but in public life,” Trump declared.
Trump’s Religious Policy Blitz: What’s Changing Now
Trump used the moment to roll out or reaffirm several federal actions related to religion, including:
- Conscience Protections: New federal regulations give doctors, pharmacists, and educators the right to refuse participation in services that violate their religious beliefs — including abortions, certain prescriptions, and gender-affirming care.
- Faith-Based Adoption and Foster Care: Religious groups will retain access to federal funds even if they decline to place children with same-sex couples or non-Christian families.
- Prison Ministries and Reentry Support: Faith-based organizations are now empowered to work inside federal prisons and help with reentry, marking a sharp departure from previous secular-only approaches.
- Religious Holiday Leave for Federal Employees: Trump also signed off on new rules allowing government workers to use paid leave for religious observances.
“These are the people I want to listen to — politically,” Trump said, a not-so-subtle swipe at the Johnson Amendment, which bars churches from endorsing candidates.
Critics Respond: Expanding Liberty or Tilting the Scales?
Not everyone’s cheering.
Legal analysts and progressive faith leaders quickly raised alarm about whether this approach could erode the Establishment Clause — the constitutional principle barring the government from privileging one religion over others.
While Trump’s policies were billed as broadly “pro-religion,” most of the examples and testimonials were Christian-centered, raising concerns about selective application.
“There’s no question religious liberty matters,” one constitutional scholar told NPR. “But when public policy starts resembling a theological agenda, the government risks crossing into religious favoritism — and that’s where legal challenges start brewing.”
What this means:
- Expect lawsuits over faith-based adoption rules and conscience protections, especially from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.
- Watch for potential challenges from atheist and minority faith groups claiming unequal treatment in public policy.
- The Supreme Court — already right-leaning — may ultimately decide how far religious liberty can stretch before it violates equal protection guarantees.
And the Johnson Amendment? Still on the Books
During the event, Trump declared again that he “got rid of the Johnson Amendment” — the law that prevents tax-exempt churches from endorsing candidates.
But that’s not legally accurate.
The Johnson Amendment remains federal law. Trump’s IRS has simply deprioritized enforcement. It hasn’t been repealed by Congress — and courts still recognize it as binding.
Why This Matters — and What Comes Next
Trump’s religious liberty rollout is more than a headline grab. It’s a strategic reframing of government’s relationship to faith, deeply rooted in his appeal to Christian conservatives — but with major constitutional implications for everyone else.
For some Americans, it’s long overdue: a government finally recognizing and protecting religious conscience after years of secular dominance.
For others, it’s a warning: a federal apparatus that now appears more willing to write religious views into law — especially when those views conflict with civil rights.
What’s clear is this: religious freedom is no longer a backburner issue. With executive orders, high-profile commissions, and regulatory changes, Trump has made it a defining part of his second-term agenda.
And the courts — as always — will have the final word on where religious liberty ends and constitutional boundaries begin.