Trump to Restore Religious Rights and Protect Pastors on Day of PrayerPresident Trump reportedly will sign a religious liberty executive order Thursday, just before he and conservative leaders celebrate the National Day of Prayer.
An influential source tells CBN News' David Brody that the religious freedom executive order will include "anti-Johnson Amendment type" language that would give churches and ministries greater protection.
My influential source also tells me that religious freedom Exec. Order to include language giving churches & ministries greater protection.
— David Brody (@TheBrodyFile) May 3, 2017
CBN News has also learned the bill seeks to provide exemptions for religious people and organizations who object to same-sex marriage, premarital sex, abortion, contraception and trans identity.
Meanwhile, Politico also confirms from senior administration officials that Trump has invited conservative speakers to the White House, where he will sign the executive order." The language is very, very strong," one conservative source said.
Follow @CBNNews and David Brody @TheBrodyFile on Twitter
Religious freedom Exec. Order can't repeal Johnson Amendment but @POTUS can direct IRS to make sure pastors are politically protected
— David Brody (@TheBrodyFile) May 3, 2017
Liberty Counsel founder and chairman Mat Staver says it's essential to restore religious freedom protections at this time after years of attacks from President Obama.
In a commentary in The Orlando Sentinel, Staver argues that religious rights were undermined by Obamacare and numerous Obama appointees, like Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Chairman Chai Feldblum.
"When asked about 'sexual liberty' (the LGBT agenda) and religious liberty, Feldblum said, 'Sexual liberty should win in most cases. ...(I)n almost all cases sexual liberty should win.' She could not think of any instance in which religious liberty should win," Staver points out.
Feldblum is still in office.
When it comes to Obamacare, Staver cites instances like the Hobby Lobby case and Little Sisters of the Poor, in which pro-life Americans were being forced to violate their religious beliefs on abortion.
"Obamacare spawned an unprecedented number of lawsuits over religious liberty. Most of the litigation is still ongoing. President Trump now has the opportunity, through executive order, to reverse course and rein in the federal government's assault on religious freedom," Staver writes.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is already revving up for a court battle against the expected order from Trump.
The ACLU says if he signs an executive order "that attempts to provide a license to discriminate against women or LGBT people, we will see him in court."
http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/politics/2017/may/trump-ready-to-sign-religious-freedom-order-on-national-day-of-prayer