Trump’s Latest Executive Order Sparks New Commission For Faith-Based Rights

Hands holding a candle near several lit candles.

President Trump has signed an executive order establishing a Religious Liberty Commission to address what his administration views as growing anti-Christian bias in America, sparking both support from religious conservatives and criticism from church-state separation advocates.

Key Takeaways

President Trump has established a Religious Liberty Commission led by Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick with Dr. Ben Carson serving as vice chair.
The commission will focus on parental rights in education, conscience protections, free speech, school choice, and institutional religious autonomy.
Trump’s administration has also launched a separate “Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias” headed by Attorney General Pamela Bondi.
Critics like the Freedom From Religion Foundation argue the initiatives privilege Christianity over other beliefs and undermine separation of church and state.
The commission aims to produce a comprehensive report on threats to religious liberty in the United States.

Commission Leadership and Focus Areas

The newly established Religious Liberty Commission will be led by Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, with former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Dr. Ben Carson serving as vice chair. According to information released by the administration, the commission will comprise clergy, legal experts, and supportive allies dedicated to strengthening faith-based rights across America. The commission’s work will center on six key areas: parental rights in education, conscience protections, defending houses of worship from attacks, protecting free speech, supporting school choice, and preserving institutional autonomy for religious organizations.

President Trump’s executive order directs the commission to produce a comprehensive report examining both the foundations of religious liberty in the United States and current threats to those liberties. This report is expected to provide recommendations for policy actions to strengthen protections for religious Americans, with particular emphasis on addressing what the administration characterizes as anti-Christian bias.

Anti-Christian Bias Task Force

In addition to the Religious Liberty Commission, Trump’s administration has established a “Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias” at the Department of Justice under Executive Order 14202. Attorney General Pamela Bondi recently hosted the task force’s inaugural meeting, which featured testimonies from individuals who claim they faced discrimination based on their Christian beliefs during the Biden administration. The task force aims to identify and address perceived anti-Christian bias within federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, IRS, and FBI.

“As shown by our victims’ stories today, Biden’s Department of Justice abused and targeted peaceful Christians while ignoring violent, anti-Christian offenses,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Thanks to President Trump, we have ended those abuses, and we will continue to work closely with every member of this Task Force to protect every American’s right to speak and worship freely.”

During the meeting, testimonies included accounts from several individuals: Michael Farris discussed IRS charges against Cornerstone Church; Dr. Scott Hicks highlighted fines against Liberty University and Grand Canyon University; and Phil Mendes, a Navy Seal, explained how he was relieved of duty for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine after his religious exemption requests were denied. Various administration officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon also addressed specific concerns related to their departments.

Criticism and Support

The initiatives have drawn sharp criticism from church-state separation advocates. The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), a national nonprofit with over 40,000 members, has condemned the executive order as an attempt to “weaponize” the Justice Department to enforce “Christian privilege.” The organization contends that Christianity is not under attack in America but rather enjoys significant privileges and argues that the commission represents an unconstitutional overreach that undermines the First Amendment’s prohibition against government establishment of religion.

“Christianity is not under attack in this country — if anything, it enjoys overwhelming privilege,” said FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor.

Supporters of the commission point to specific cases as evidence of anti-Christian bias. Trump himself has highlighted prosecutions against pro-life protesters during the Biden administration, including cases involving “a Catholic priest and 75-year-old grandmother, as well as an 87-year-old woman and a father of 11 children who were arrested 18 months after praying and singing hymns outside an abortion facility.” Trump issued pardons in these cases shortly after taking office in January 2025.

Administration’s Religious Liberty Priorities

The establishment of the Religious Liberty Commission builds on previous actions by Trump during his first administration, when he issued executive orders intended to strengthen religious liberty protections. In contrast, his administration has characterized the Biden years as a period of government hostility toward people of faith, particularly Christians. The commission appears to be part of a broader agenda to prioritize religious liberty concerns, especially for conservative Christians who form a significant part of Trump’s political base.

The FFRF has announced plans to monitor the implementation of the executive order closely and oppose any actions it views as unconstitutional. Meanwhile, religious conservatives have largely welcomed the commission as a necessary step to protect what they see as eroding religious freedoms in the United States. As the commission begins its work, the debate over the proper relationship between government and religion in America continues to be a divisive issue in national politics.

Trump responded to criticism of the commission, saying, ”My administration will not tolerate anti-Christian weaponization of government or unlawful conduct targeting Christians. The law protects the freedom of Americans and groups of Americans to practice their faith in peace, and my administration will enforce the law and protect these freedoms. My administration will ensure that any unlawful and improper conduct, policies, or practices that target Christians are identified, terminated, and rectified.”