President Trump Announces New Commission to Defend Religious Liberty

by Zachary Mettler | May 2, 2025 | Government Updates Religious Freedom

In a special Rose Garden ceremony on Thursday, President Trump created the new Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty while celebrating the National Day of Prayer.

In his speech, the president quoted President John Adams on the importance of his first National Day of Prayer:

“In just a few moments, I’ll be signing an executive order creating a Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty,” the president said, “which is really why we’re here more than any other reason.”

The executive order, which the president proceeded to sign, declares,

It shall be the policy of the executive branch to vigorously enforce the historic and robust protections for religious liberty enshrined in Federal law.

“Americans need to be reacquainted with our Nation’s superb experiment in religious freedom in order to preserve it against emerging threats,” the order explains, adding,

Therefore, the Federal Government will promote citizens’ pride in our foundational history, identify emerging threats to religious liberty, uphold Federal laws that protect all citizens’ full participation in a pluralistic democracy, and protect the free exercise of religion.

The White House released pictures from the event:

The 14-member commission is intended to help the president by “offering diverse perspectives on how the Federal Government can defend religious liberty for all Americans.”

According to the White House, the commission will focus on several key areas, including parental rights in religious education, school choice, conscience protections, attacks on houses of worship, free speech for religious entities, and institutional autonomy.

The president named the following individuals to serve on the commission:

  • Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (Chair)
  • Dr. Ben Carson (Vice Chair)
  • Ryan T. Anderson
  • Bishop Robert Barron
  • Carrie Prejean Boller
  • Cardinal Timothy Dolan
  • Pastor Franklin Graham
  • Allyson Ho
  • Dr. Phil McGraw
  • Eric Metaxas
  • Kelly Shackelford
  • Rabbi Meir Soloveichik
  • Paula White

The commission is tasked with producing a comprehensive report on:

  1. The foundations of religious liberty in America;
  2. Strategies to increase awareness of and celebrate America’s peaceful religious pluralism;
  3. Current threats to religious liberty; and
  4. Strategies to preserve and enhance protections for future generations.

The report, according to First Liberty Institute, is due to be released on or before July 4, 2026 – the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of America.

Kelly Shackelford, President, CEO & Chief Counsel of First Liberty Institute, issued a statement following his appointment.

“I am incredibly honored to be selected to join such a prestigious group of leaders on the Commission in President Trump’s effort to protect religious liberty in our nation,” Shackelford said, adding,

For too long, government officials have been hostile to expressions of faith despite First Liberty’s numerous victories at the Supreme Court. It will be a privilege to do everything we can to protect religious liberty and restore our First Freedom for all Americans.

Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, and founder of Word On Fire, posted about his appointment on X:

Religious freedom is often referred to as our nation’s first freedom, since America was originally founded by Pilgrims seeking religious liberty.

According to a 2023 report by Becket, Americans’ support of religious freedom remains strong, with 59% of Americans saying that “religion is a part of the solution to America’s problems.”

Please pray for the new commission’s tasks ahead, and that it will help Americans continue to value and recognize the importance of religious liberty.

Related articles and resources:

Donald Trump, Tim Tebow, Conrad Hilton and the National Day of Prayer

Is David French Right — Is Our Religious Liberty Secure?

‘America’s Commitment to Religious Liberty Remains Strong,’ Religious Freedom Report Finds

What the Pilgrims did for Religious Liberty

The Heroic Heart of the Pilgrims

Photo from Getty Images.