Trump launches commission on religious liberty
President Trump Announces New Commission on Religious Liberty
In a significant announcement from the Rose Garden, President Donald Trump declared the establishment of a new presidential commission dedicated to religious liberty. This commission aims to address and counteract anti-Christian bias, operating in conjunction with the White House Faith Office.
Leadership and Goals of the Commission
The commission will be chaired by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who praised the initiative as one of Trump’s most impactful actions. During the ceremony, Patrick emphasized the foundational role of Christian and Jewish traditions in America’s history, advocating for the freedom of worship without governmental interference. He criticized the previous administration for its handling of religious issues, stating, “There’s a saying that no one should get between a doctor and a patient. I think we would say no one should get between God and a believer.”
Members of the Religious Liberty Commission
The White House released a list of distinguished members for the commission, including:
- Dan Patrick – Texas lieutenant governor and committee chair
- Ben Carson – Renowned neurosurgeon and former U.S. secretary of Housing and Urban Development
- Ryan Anderson – President of the Ethics and Public Policy Center
- Bishop Robert Barron – Noted author, speaker, and theologian
- Carrie Prejean Boller – Former Miss California USA and author
- Cardinal Timothy Dolan – Archbishop of New York
- Franklin Graham – Evangelical leader and humanitarian
- Allyson Ho – Partner at Gibson, Dunn, & Crutcher
- Dr. Phil McGraw – Television personality and author
- Eric Metaxas – Celebrated writer, speaker, and radio host
- Kelly Shackelford – CEO of First Liberty Institute
- Rabbi Meir Soloveichik – Leader of the oldest Jewish congregation in the U.S.
- Paula White-Cain – Influential religious advisor and ministry leader
Highlights from the Rose Garden Ceremony
The event featured prayers from various religious leaders, including Bishop Robert Barron, Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Imam Walid Habash, and Pastor Kelvin Cobaris. House Speaker Mike Johnson also delivered a prayer, underscoring the bipartisan nature of the event.
President Trump’s Broader Remarks
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President Trump discussed several national issues, highlighting his commitment to preventing a significant tax increase through the upcoming tax bill. He humorously linked the importance of the bill to religious freedom, suggesting that excessive taxation could impact citizens’ spiritual lives. Trump reassured attendees that the bill would protect Medicaid and shared his enthusiasm for upcoming national events like the World Cup and the U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations.
Further, Trump acknowledged the contributions of various cabinet members and addressed personnel changes within his administration. He announced the nomination of Mike Waltz as ambassador to the United Nations, with Marco Rubio stepping in as interim national security adviser.
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