On May 1st, President Donald Trump signed a new order to create the Religious Liberty Commission.
This group will help protect the rights of people to follow their religion freely. The President chose Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick to lead the group and named Dr. Ben Carson as the vice-chair. Along with them, 11 other people were picked to join the commission. Now, President Trump has chosen more people to help by serving on three advisory boards. These boards are made up of religious leaders, legal experts, and lay leaders (everyday people who care about religious liberty). Each board will give ideas and advice to help the commission do its job better.
Advisory Board of Religious Leaders The religious leaders are from many different faiths. They will help by sharing how different groups are treated and what problems they may face. Here are the members: Bishop Salvatore Cordileone is the Archbishop of San Francisco. He is part of several Catholic Church groups that care about family life and church rules. Pastor Jentezen Franklin leads a church called Free Chapel in Georgia. He writes books about prayer and fasting. Archbishop Elpidophoros of America is a leader in the Greek Orthodox Church. He has worked for religious freedom around the world. Father Thomas Ferguson is a Catholic priest in Virginia. He also writes about faith and American politics. Rabbi Mark Gottlieb works in Jewish education and teaches young people about Jewish beliefs. He is involved in several Jewish schools and programs. Pastor Jack Graham leads a large church in Texas. He has written books and worked with national prayer groups. Rabbi Yaakov Menken speaks out about Jewish values and writes about Jewish life and beliefs. Bishop Thomas Paprocki is from Illinois. He started a campaign called “Fortnight for Freedom” to talk about protecting religious rights. Bishop Kevin Rhoades is from Indiana and helps lead work on religious freedom in the Catholic Church. Rabbi Eitan Webb runs a Jewish center at Princeton University and supports Jewish students. Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel helps lead Agudath Israel, which represents Orthodox Jewish people in America.
These leaders will help the commission understand what different faith communities need to practice their beliefs freely and safely.
Advisory Board of Legal Experts The legal experts will help with laws about religious liberty. They will explain how courts and the government should protect the right to believe and practice religion. Here are the members: Dr. Francis Beckwith is a professor who teaches about religion, politics, and law. He has written many articles and books. Jason Bedrick works at The Heritage Foundation. He studies education and how religious schools can keep their freedom.
Josh Blackman is a law professor in Texas. He knows a lot about the U.S. Constitution and how courts protect rights. Gerard Bradley teaches law at the University of Notre Dame. He writes about ethics and religious freedom. Alyza Lewin is a lawyer who works to protect Jewish people and fight discrimination. She has led legal groups and works on court cases. Kristen Waggoner leads the group Alliance Defending Freedom. They work to protect people’s right to speak and live their faith.
These legal experts will make sure the commission understands how the law can protect religion and where changes might be needed.
Advisory Board of Lay Leaders These people are not clergy or lawyers, but they care deeply about religious freedom. They speak to the public, write books, or help others understand their rights. Here are the members: Abigail Robertson Allen is a TV reporter and podcast host. She shares stories about miracles and how God helps people today. Gene Bailey is a TV host who talks about news and faith. He believes in spiritual awakenings and shares stories about God’s work in the world. Dr. Mark David Hall is a professor who studies America’s history and how religion shaped the country. He writes books about America’s Christian roots. Dr. Alveda King is the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She works for civil rights and speaks out about religious freedom and life issues. Christopher Levenick writes about how religion and politics affect each other. He also leads programs that support American values. Sameerah Munshi is a mother and speaker. She stood up against teaching gender ideas in schools that went against her beliefs. She supports parental rights and religious values in education. Ismail Royer is a Muslim leader who teaches about peace and freedom between different faiths. He helps people understand Islam and religious rights. Ryan Tucker is a lawyer who helps churches and Christian schools keep their freedoms under the law. Shaykh Hamza Yusuf is a Muslim scholar and teacher. He started the first Muslim liberal arts college in the U.S. and has advised the government before.
These lay leaders bring many different voices and experiences to the table. They will help the commission understand how regular people are affected by rules about religion.
Why This Matters President Trump created the Religious Liberty Commission to make sure every American can believe and practice their faith. He says this is a right given by God and protected by the U.S. Constitution. By bringing together religious leaders, legal experts, and everyday people, the President wants to hear many different ideas. This way, the Commission can help protect religious freedom in schools, workplaces, churches, and public spaces. The goal is not to support one religion, but to make sure all religions are respected and that people who do not follow a religion are respected, too. The President and the Commission believe that freedom of religion makes America stronger.
This group of advisors comes from many faiths: Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions. This shows that protecting religious liberty is something many people care about, no matter their background. The Religious Liberty Commission will continue to meet and work with these advisors. They will look at laws, help solve problems, and make sure Americans can keep practicing their faith without fear.
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