Trump Establishes Faith-Based Rights And Parental Protections Commission

Multiple hands holding a red Bible together

President Trump establishes a Religious Liberty Commission to combat what his administration calls anti-Christian bias, sparking debate on religious freedom protections versus potential favoritism.

Quick Takes

Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission will focus on parental rights, conscience protections, and defending religious institutions
Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick will chair the commission with Dr. Ben Carson serving as vice chair
Attorney General Pamela Bondi has already hosted the first meeting of the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias
Critics argue the initiative may privilege Christianity over other faiths, while supporters see it as necessary protection
The commission will specifically address issues like religious liberty in public education and attacks on houses of worship

Commission Creation and Leadership

Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order establishing a Religious Liberty Commission focused on advancing faith-based rights across the United States. The commission, which will be chaired by Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick with former HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson serving as vice chair, brings together clergy, legal experts, and supportive allies. The initiative follows Executive Order 14202, which also created the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias, already operating within the Department of Justice under Attorney General Pamela Bondi’s leadership.

According to the Daily Wire, the commission has been tasked with producing a comprehensive report on both the foundations of and current threats to religious liberty in America. Its mandate specifically targets key areas including parental rights in education, conscience protections for people of faith, attacks on houses of worship, religious free speech issues, and institutional autonomy for faith-based organizations. Supporters view the commission as a necessary response to what they perceive as growing hostility toward traditional religious values in government agencies and public institutions.

Task Force Already Taking Action

The parallel Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias has already begun its work within the Justice Department. Attorney General Bondi recently hosted the inaugural meeting, where numerous testimonies were presented from Christian Americans who claimed they had been targeted by the previous administration for their religious beliefs. These included accounts from military personnel denied religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccines, educators penalized for their stance on gender identity education policies, and faith-based universities facing fines allegedly due to their Christian worldview.

“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.”

The task force meeting included presentations from various cabinet officials addressing specific areas of concern. FBI Director Kash Patel discussed an anti-Catholic memo and the Bureau’s commitment to eliminating bias. Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised concerns about Christian foreign service officers and homeschooling families facing discrimination. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. highlighted challenges faced by faith-based healthcare providers like St. Francis Health System.

Criticism and Support

The initiative has drawn significant criticism from secularist organizations. The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), a national nonprofit with over 40,000 members advocating for the separation of church and state, has strongly condemned the executive order. The organization characterizes the move as “weaponizing” the Justice Department to enforce what they term “Christian privilege” rather than protecting genuine religious liberty. Critics argue the initiative inappropriately elevates one faith tradition above others and potentially undermines First Amendment principles.

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

Trump and his supporters counter these criticisms by pointing to specific cases they believe demonstrate anti-Christian bias. In explaining the need for the commission, Trump cited instances where pro-life activists received multiyear prison sentences for peaceful prayer and demonstrations at abortion facilities. “I rectified this injustice on January 23, 2025, by issuing pardons in these cases,” Trump stated, referring to his pardons of individuals including a Catholic priest and elderly Christians who had been prosecuted during the previous administration.

Looking Forward

The Religious Liberty Commission is expected to begin its work immediately, gathering evidence and developing recommendations for strengthening religious liberty protections. The administration has emphasized that the commission’s focus extends beyond identifying problems to implementing concrete solutions that will protect religious expression, particularly for Christians who believe their faith is increasingly marginalized in public life. Trump has made clear his administration will “not tolerate anti-Christian weaponization of government,” suggesting policy changes may follow the commission’s findings.

The FFRF has announced plans to closely monitor the implementation of the executive order and oppose what it views as potential constitutional overreach, setting the stage for likely legal challenges. As the commission begins its work, debates about the proper relationship between government and religion—a foundational American question—will continue to intensify. The commission’s eventual report and recommendations will likely influence religious liberty policy throughout Trump’s term in office.