Trump Admin Issues New Guidance to Protect Workplace Religious Expression
The Trump administration has issued new guidance to protect religious expression across the federal workplace.
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on Monday sent guidance to various federal agencies with new workplace requirements, “ensur[ing] federal workers can display Bibles, crucifixes, or mezuzahs on their desks; pray in groups while off-duty; invite colleagues to church; and speak about their religious beliefs, even to the public, without fear of reprisal,” Fox News reports.
Scott Kupor, Director of the OPM, sent the memorandum, “Protecting Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace,” to the heads and acting heads of federal departments and agencies.
“The Federal workforce should be a welcoming place for Federal employees who practice a religious faith,” the memo reads. “Allowing religious discrimination in the Federal workplace violates the law.”
It adds,
Focus on the Family President Jim Daly praised OPM’s new memorandum, calling it a “manifesto of sensibility.”
“This memo openly and unapologetically acknowledges the indispensable contributions people of faith have made and continue to make to the country,” Daly said. “Thank you, Director Scott Kupor, for clarifying and codifying the constitutionally protected religious rights of government employees.”
OPM cited two of President Trump’s executive orders which “direct agencies to safeguard religious liberty” as the basis for the new guidance, including the president’s February order “Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias” and his May order “Establishment of the Religious Liberty Commission.”
The guidance includes an appendix listing several actions or activities that are examples of “permissible religious expression.” The memo states:
- An employee may keep a Bible on her desk and may read it during breaks.
- An employee may wear a cross, as well as clothing displaying a religious message.
- A group of employees may form a prayer group and gather for prayer or study of Scripture of holy books at the office while not on duty hours.
- An employee may invite another to worship at her church despite belonging to a different faith.
- On a bulletin board meant for personal announcements, a supervisor may post a hand-written note inviting each of his employees to attend an Easter service at his church.
- A park ranger leading a tour through a national park may join her tour group in prayer.
- A security guard stationed at the front desk of a federal office building may display and use a crucifix, Bible, or use rosary beads.
“Federal employees should never have to choose between their faith and their career,” Director Kupor said in a statement about the memo. “This guidance ensures the federal workplace is not just compliant with the law but welcoming to Americans of all faiths.”
“Under President Trumpʼs leadership, we are restoring constitutional freedoms and making government a place where people of faith are respected, not sidelined.”
Indeed, federal employees don’t shed their constitutionally protected rights at the door to their workplace. We’re grateful to OPM for making that abundantly clear.
Related articles and resources:
Your Complete Guide to Bring Your Bible
Religious Freedom & Free Speech
White House Cabinet Meeting: ‘Jesus, You are the Great Redeemer’
Religious Liberty Commission Launches, Aims to Root Out Anti-Christian Bias
Three Cheers for Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon Christian Prayer Service
Religious Liberty is the Preserver to Keep America Afloat
President Trump Announces New Commission to Defend Religious Liberty
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