Religious Liberty Commission
President Trump established the Religious Liberty Commission through Executive Order on May 1, 2025, appointing as Chairman Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and as Vice Chair Dr. Ben Carson to lead the work. The Executive Order houses the Commission under the Department of Justice.
The Commission’s directive is to advise the White House Faith Office and the Domestic Policy Council on religious liberty policies of the United States, including by recommending steps to secure domestic religious liberty and identifying opportunities to further the cause of religious liberty around the world. The full list of Commission members is available on the White House website.
The Commission will consider the past, present, and future of the religious liberty in the United States, including by:
- Exploring the foundations of religious liberty in America
- Considering the impact of religious liberty on American society
- Identifying current threats to domestic religious liberty
- Developing strategies to preserve and enhance religious liberty protections for future generations
- Recommending programs to increase awareness of and celebrate America’s peaceful religious pluralism
Specific topics to be considered by the Commission under these categories shall include the following areas:
- The First Amendment rights of pastors, religious leaders, houses of worship, faith-based institutions, and religious speakers
- Attacks across America on houses of worship of many religions; debanking of religious entities
- The First Amendment rights of teachers, students, military chaplains, service members, employers, and employees
- Conscience protections in the health care field and concerning vaccine mandates
- Parents’ authority to direct the care, upbringing, and education of their children, including the right to choose a religious education
- Permitting time for voluntary prayer and religious instruction at public schools; Government displays with religious imagery
- The right of all Americans to freely exercise their faith without fear or Government censorship or retaliation