Trump Commission Rejects Church-State Separation

The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, an advisory panel formed by President Donald Trump, is preparing its final report with recommendations that challenge the established separation of church and state. Key proposals include increasing religious expression in public schools, expanding public funding for faith-based organizations, and allowing religious-based exemptions from labor laws, classroom lessons, and healthcare mandates. Commission Chair Dan Patrick has openly advocated against the separation of church and state, even suggesting a federal hotline to promote this view. Critics, including the Interfaith Alliance, have filed a lawsuit arguing the commission lacks diversity and violates federal law. The commission has also faced internal tensions, such as the ousting of Carrie Prejean Boller after a contentious hearing on antisemitism. These recommendations reflect a conservative Christian and evangelical perspective, aligning with recent Supreme Court decisions, and could lead to significant legal and societal changes.