Full Breakdown
Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission Challenges Church-State Separation
4/17/2026, 2:39:25 AM
Central Claims of the Commission
During the final hearing of President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission on April 13, 2026, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the commission's chair, asserted that the concept of separation of church and state is "the biggest lie that’s been told in America since our founding." This statement was made at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., where Patrick suggested that educational institutions and businesses should display information promoting religious liberty, likening it to safety notices from health agencies. His remarks have sparked significant backlash from various advocacy groups.
Criticism from Advocacy Groups
Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, criticized Patrick's comments, arguing that they undermine a foundational principle of American democracy. She stated that the separation of church and state is essential for ensuring freedom of belief and expression for all citizens. Laser emphasized that the commission's actions reflect a bias favoring a specific brand of Christianity, as evidenced by its predominantly Christian membership and the nature of its public meetings.
Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president of Interfaith Alliance, echoed these sentiments, asserting that the commission's focus is not on protecting religious freedom for all Americans but rather on advancing a narrow religious agenda. He noted that the commission has been packed with individuals who promote Christian nationalism, which he claims infringes upon the rights of those practicing different faiths or no faith at all.
Background and Context
The Religious Liberty Commission was established by Trump through an executive order in May 2025, with the stated goal of investigating threats to domestic religious liberty. The commission's mandate includes addressing perceived discrimination against religious individuals and institutions. However, critics argue that its composition and activities reflect a one-sided perspective that prioritizes Christian viewpoints over a more inclusive understanding of religious freedom.
Legal Challenges and Ongoing Controversies
The commission is currently facing legal challenges from Americans United and other organizations, including Interfaith Alliance, Muslims for Progressive Values, and Hindus for Human Rights. These groups have filed lawsuits claiming that the commission violates federal law and lacks transparency. One lawsuit seeks to prevent the commission from releasing its final report while the legal proceedings are ongoing.
Official Statements & Responses
In response to Patrick's claims, Laser stated, "Chairman Patrick repeatedly calling the separation of church and state a ‘lie’ is an attack on our democracy." She called for a recommitment to church-state separation as a means to protect religious freedom for all. The commission's final report is expected to outline recommendations for safeguarding religious liberty, but critics remain skeptical of its intentions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “and that the separation of church and state is the biggest lie that’s been told in America since our founding?” — Dan Patrick, Chair of the Religious Liberty Commission
- “once again demonstrated that its mission isn’t about protecting religious liberty for all. Instead, today it rebuked a foundational pillar of religious liberty: the separation of church and state,” — Rachel Laser, President of Americans United for Separation of Church and State
- “By attacking the separation of church and state as a ‘lie,’ Patrick has made obvious what this commission is really about – not protecting religious freedom for all Americans, but using the power of the federal government to infringe upon and suppress it.” — Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, President of Interfaith Alliance
What's Next
As the commission approaches its expiration date on July 4, 2026, the outcome of the ongoing lawsuits and the anticipated final report will likely shape the future discourse on religious liberty and the separation of church and state in the United States.
