Trump's religious liberty report calls for building 'bridges' between church and state
Administration News — 2026-06-26 16:06:00 — thehill.com
Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission Calls for “Building Bridges” Between Church and State, Reversing Long-Standing U.S. Principle
A draft final report from President Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission released Friday urges “building bridges between church and state,” marking a significant shift from the traditional U.S. legal stance that has long emphasized a separation between the two. The commission’s report states, “Americans must know their rights and stand with courage when those rights are challenged. To preserve this freedom, we must build bridges, not walls.”
A Departure from Established Legal Doctrine
The language in the commission’s report represents a clear reversal of the foundational American principle of church-state separation. For decades, U.S. law and Supreme Court precedent have maintained a “wall of separation” between religious institutions and government, a concept rooted in the First Amendment. The commission’s call to “build bridges, not walls” directly contradicts this established doctrine, signaling a dramatic change in approach under Trump’s administration.
Fact-Checking the Commission’s Framing
The report frames the issue as one of defending Americans’ rights, urging citizens to “stand with courage when those rights are challenged.” However, legal scholars and historians have long noted that the separation of church and state is itself a protection of religious liberty, designed to prevent government interference in religious practice and vice versa. By advocating for closer ties between church and state, the commission’s position—attributable to President Trump’s administration—raises questions about the potential consequences for both religious freedom and constitutional law.
Conclusion
President Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission’s recommendation to “build bridges between church and state” marks a notable departure from the nation’s long-standing legal tradition. The commission’s report, released Friday, reflects a broader trend in Trump’s administration of challenging established norms and principles, particularly in areas as fundamental as the relationship between religion and government. As this new approach is debated, its implications for American society and constitutional rights remain a critical issue for public scrutiny.
Source: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5943239-building-bridges-church-state/