Log in
My Account
Subscribe 99¢ for 3 months
Newsletter

Today's Digital Newspaper

The Gazette

Weather Block Here

Login
My Account
Subscribe
Newsletter

Archive Information

Carrier Portal

Search

Buy Our Photos

Trump orders federal agencies to protect religious expression

By Haisten Willis July 28, 2025 | updated 1 day ago

The Trump administration has issued guidance clarifying that federal employees are free to express their religious views in the workplace — and sometimes in public as well.

Trump’s Office of Personnel Management has issued a memorandum saying that employees may pray, display religious personal items, hold group gatherings, or even invite colleagues to church without fear of discrimination or retaliation.

“Federal employees should never have to choose between their faith and their career,” OPM Director Scott Kupor said in a release. “This guidance ensures the federal workplace is not just compliant with the law but welcoming to Americans of all faiths. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are restoring constitutional freedoms and making government a place where people of faith are respected, not sidelined.”

OPM separately released guidance earlier this month about reasonable accommodations for religious employees, providing examples of protected conduct.

In the memo, OPM officials said the federal workforce should be a welcoming place for employees who practice a religious faith and that protecting expression is required by law and important for recruitment and retention.

Trump has made religious freedom a key plank of his second term, signing an executive order in February that aimed to “end the war on Christians” and another that targeted antisemitism.

The final page of the memo lists examples of protected religious expression, such as employees keeping Bibles on their desks and reading them during breaks, wearing cross necklaces or clothing displaying religious messages, or gathering in prayer groups with other employees.

During breaks, employees may also speak to their coworkers about why they believe their faith is correct, though they should stop if the nonadherent asks them to.

“Employees may engage in conversations regarding religious topics with fellow employees, including attempting to persuade others of the correctness of their own religious views, provided that such efforts are not harassing in nature,” the memo reads.

Trump and Obama, forever linked in history

CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt praised the news, saying that faith should be expressed publicly as well as privately.

“From the very founding of our nation, faith was not relegated to the private sphere but boldly woven into the fabric of public life,’ Reinhardt said. “Our greatest leaders understood that religious liberty forms the backbone of a free and virtuous society.”

dec7874b-d354-5d66-98bf-9fcff34ba11d

View Original Article | Split View
Tags
Haisten Willis

Reporter

PREV

PREVIOUS

California bill to block new Glock sales could soon head to governor’s desk

Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save A California bill that would ban the sale of one of the most popular handguns in the United States is two steps away from becoming law.  Assembly Bill 1127 is the brainchild of Assemblymember Jesse […]

NEXT

NEXT UP

Marine veteran who intervened in Walmart stabbing celebrated online

Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save A civilian responsible for detaining a stabbing suspect at a Michigan Walmart on Saturday was identified and hailed a “hero” on social media. Derrick Perry, a Marine veteran who was captured in various videos holding […]