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Pentagon Slashes Recognized Faiths to 31, Sparks Constitution Clash

6/6/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Pentagon announced it will cut the list of recognized faiths from roughly 211 to 31.
Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Anthony Tata signed the May memo reducing the list to 31.
A former Army chaplain called the reduction a First Amendment violation and a tragedy.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth promoted Christian prayer and chaplain insignia, raising secular-tradition concerns.

History

Historical Context

In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, leading the Pentagon to recognize 150 faiths in Instruction 1300.28. The move recalled the 1893 Parliament of the World's Religions, the first global interfaith dialogue that acknowledged thousands of traditions. Now Under Secretary Anthony Tata’s May memo trims the list to 31 faiths, sparking renewed RFRA and First Amendment lawsuits.

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Story summary

Pentagon announced it will cut the list of recognized faiths from roughly 211 to 31.
Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Anthony Tata signed the May memo reducing the list to 31.
A former Army chaplain called the reduction a First Amendment violation and a tragedy.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth promoted Christian prayer and chaplain insignia, raising secular-tradition concerns.

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