Trump's Religious Liberty Commission Seeks to 'Redefine Boundaries' Between Government and Religion

The commission, dominated by far-right Christian leaders, aims to reshape policies and challenge 'hostile' views toward faith in public life.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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A new commission established by former President Trump is working to 'redefine the boundaries between government and religion in American life,' according to a CNN report. The commission, housed in the Justice Department, is focused on ways to sue state and local governments that it claims block 'religious freedom,' as well as efforts to bring cases before the Supreme Court that could reshape the First Amendment's Establishment Clause. The panel is dominated by far-right Christian leaders who view themselves as 'combatants' in a 'religious and cultural war.'

Why it matters

The commission's actions reflect a wider Trump-era shift toward faith-based units across federal agencies that have been repurposed from coordinating with religious charities to actively promoting far-right Christian ideology. This raises concerns about the separation of church and state and the potential for the government to endorse a particular religious view.

The details

The commission is expected to produce a blueprint for policy changes by this summer that could significantly alter the relationship between government and religion in the United States. It is focusing on ways to sue state and local governments that it claims are 'hostile' to faith, as well as efforts to bring cases before the Supreme Court that could reshape the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, which bars the government from endorsing a national religion.

  • The commission was established by former President Trump.
  • The commission is expected to produce a policy blueprint by this summer.

The players

Trump's Religious Liberty Commission

A commission established by former President Trump that is working to 'redefine the boundaries between government and religion in American life.'

Carrie Prejean Boller

A commissioner on Trump's Religious Liberty Commission and a former beauty pageant contestant who has challenged Jewish speakers about their beliefs and Israel's war against Hamas.

Kelly Shackelford

A member of Trump's Religious Liberty Commission who claims the group is finding 'problems' with religious freedom across schools, government, the private sector, health care, and the military.

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What’s next

The commission is expected to produce a policy blueprint by this summer that could significantly alter the relationship between government and religion in the United States.

The takeaway

The actions of Trump's Religious Liberty Commission reflect a concerning trend of the government actively promoting a particular religious ideology, which raises questions about the separation of church and state and the potential for the government to endorse a national religion, contrary to the First Amendment.