Trump DOJ Expands Religious Liberty Guidance for Federal Agencies in First Update Since 2017
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 23
Trump DOJ Expands Religious Liberty Guidance for Federal Agencies in First Update Since 2017
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 23
Summary
Federal agencies were told Thursday to weigh religious-liberty protections more heavily in rulemaking, enforcement, workplace accommodation, grants and contracting under updated DOJ guidance.
The revision is the first since 2017 and, DOJ said, incorporates nearly a decade of Supreme Court rulings that broadened protections under the First Amendment, RFRA and Title VII.
The memo tells agencies to flag religious-liberty concerns earlier, accommodate employee religious expression when required by law, and let religious groups compete equally with secular organizations for federal funds and contracts.
DOJ also reaffirmed churches' autonomy over internal affairs and cited recent rulings on parents' rights in religious upbringing, while its Office of Legal Policy will keep reviewing agency actions for compliance.