“America was founded by people of faith, and it was settled as a haven for religious freedom. As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our founding, it is only appropriate that we work to strengthen this fundamental right.” — President Donald Trump
The White House Religious Liberty Commission has issued a sweeping set of recommendations aimed at strengthening religious freedom across schools, workplaces, the military, health care, and other public institutions — calling for clearer protections for Americans who face discrimination or pressure over expressions of faith.
President Donald Trump received the commission’s report on Friday in the Oval Office, framing the moment as part of both a national spiritual resurgence and the nation’s approach to the 250th anniversary of America’s founding.
📋 Commission at a Glance
The Commission’s 12 Recommendations
The commission’s report includes 12 recommendations designed to strengthen religious liberty for all Americans. Among the most significant:
Calls on the Justice Department to issue new guidance clarifying Establishment Clause interpretations affecting faith in public life.
Create accessible resource posters for students, parents, teachers, and workers outlining their religious liberty rights.
New dedicated channels for reporting alleged religious liberty violations across federal agencies and institutions.
Enhanced protections for service members, health care workers, educators, coaches, and private-sector employees seeking religious accommodations.
Remove federal tax restrictions that prevent churches and tax-exempt organizations from endorsing or opposing political candidates.
Nominate federal judges with a documented record of defending religious liberty in their jurisprudence.
Expand federal efforts to combat antisemitism as a component of the broader religious liberty and civil rights framework.
Further recommendations covering faith in public institutions, protections for religious expression in schools, and strengthening the White House Faith Office’s mandate.
“We’re going to sell it. We have some incredible recommendations.”
— President Donald Trump, on the commission’s reportCommission Members
Dan Patrick
Ben Carson
Phil McGraw
Archbishop Timothy Dolan
Rabbi Meir Soloveichik
Paula White-Cain
Supporters of the effort say the report marks another step toward restoring religious liberty as a central pillar of American public life. Critics, however, have argued that some proposals — particularly around the Johnson Amendment and judicial nominations — could reignite legal battles over the role of faith in government institutions.
Trump at the Faith & Freedom Coalition: “One Nation Under God”
Hours after receiving the commission’s report in the Oval Office, President Trump addressed the Faith & Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority Conference at the Washington Hilton — delivering one of his most expansive defenses of religious liberty in recent memory.
Trump told Christian conservatives that America’s future depends on preserving faith, freedom, and the nation’s founding convictions, declaring that the United States will always remain “one nation under God.”
“Our founders invoked the Creator four times in the Declaration of Independence. Faith helped drive the nation’s westward expansion, the abolition of slavery, and America’s rise as the most exceptional nation in the history of the world.”
— President Donald Trump, Faith & Freedom Coalition ConferenceA Record on Religious Liberty — As Trump Frames It
Trump used much of his address to highlight what he described as his administration’s record in defending religious liberty, citing:
✅ Creation of the Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty · ✅ Establishment of the White House Faith Office · ✅ A federal task force aimed at eradicating anti-Christian bias · ✅ Actions supporting prayer in public schools · ✅ Protecting churches and synagogues from intimidation · ✅ Restoring the Mexico City Policy · ✅ Combating antisemitism · ✅ Restricting federal support for schools promoting gender ideology
Trump also referenced the National Anthem, noting that the fourth verse of Francis Scott Key’s poem includes the words “In God We Trust” — which later became the nation’s official motto.
“I got rid of the sinister Johnson Amendment so that pastors can speak the truth. We are going to bring religion back, even stronger. Religion has made a tremendous resurgence in our country.”
— President Donald TrumpA Warning — and a Call to Action
Trump reserved some of his strongest remarks for what he characterized as threats from the political left, warning that “Godless communists” pose a direct challenge to religious freedom and America’s traditional way of life.
“These are not social democrats,” Trump said. “These are hardcore Godless communists.” He warned supporters that the upcoming midterm elections would be critical, arguing that if Democrats regain power, religious liberty, churches, and conservative policy priorities could face renewed threats.
Despite the warnings, Trump closed on an optimistic note — saying he believes America can become “stronger, safer, better, more prosperous and more faithful than ever before.”
RIU Special Report
This is a special report by the Rooted in Unity editorial team. Rooted in Unity is a Houston, Texas–based initiative dedicated to dialogue, civic engagement, and principled advocacy across faith communities and national boundaries.