{"id":2634134,"date":"2026-07-23T13:34:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T17:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-updates-religious-liberty-protections-to-reflect-supreme-court-decisions\/"},"modified":"2026-07-23T13:36:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T17:36:07","slug":"doj-updates-religious-liberty-protections-to-reflect-supreme-court-decisions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-updates-religious-liberty-protections-to-reflect-supreme-court-decisions\/","title":{"rendered":"DOJ updates religious liberty protections to reflect Supreme Court decisions"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdoj-updates-religious-liberty-protections-to-reflect-supreme-court-decisions%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2634134&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Justice Department has updated its federal guidance on religious liberty to align with recent Supreme Court rulings, emphasizing protections for religious expression, parental rights, adn the independence of religious organizations.The revised guidance builds on a 2017 memorandum issued under Attorney General Jeff Sessions, outlining core principles for federal agencies. it clarifies that constitutional protections extend to church autonomy, forbidding government interference in internal religious affairs and employment decisions aligned with religious missions. The update also reinforces parents&#8217; rights to direct their children&#8217;s religious upbringing, referencing recent Supreme Court decisions such as Mahmoud v. Taylor, which supported parental rights against school policies. Additionally, it clarifies that the First Amendment\u2019s establishment and free exercise clauses work together to safeguard religious liberty by prohibiting government coercion and discrimination based on religious beliefs. the memo is part of the Trump administration\u2019s broader effort to counter perceived anti-Christian bias and uphold religious freedoms as a fundamental national principle.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/justice-department\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"167\">Justice Department <\/a>on Thursday updated its federal <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/religious-liberty\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3151\">religious liberty<\/a> guidance to reflect recent <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/supreme-court\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"203\">Supreme Court<\/a> rulings, expanding instructions for executive agencies on protecting religious expression, parental rights, and the autonomy of religious organizations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The guidance revises a memorandum first issued by then-Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jeff-sessions\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"55\">Jeff Sessions<\/a> on Oct. 6, 2017, during President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump\u2019s <\/a>first term. The original directive, issued following a presidential executive order, outlined 20 foundational principles on religious liberty for federal executive departments and agencies.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4660688\/doj-update-religious-liberty-protection-establishment-clause-coerced-observance\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DOJ updates religious liberty protections for parental rights and schools to reflect Supreme Court decisions<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4660021\/felony-intimidation-charges-dropped-louisiana-attorney-general-liz-murrill\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Prosecutor drops felony intimidation case against Louisiana attorney general<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4659146\/ex-venezuela-dictator-nicolas-maduro-and-wife-june-2027-drug-trafficking-trial\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Ex-Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and wife scheduled for June 2027 drug trafficking trial<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the Justice Department, the revised guidance incorporates recent Supreme Court precedent clarifying the scope of the First Amendment, the broad protections provided by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the requirement that governments treat religious organizations equally in public programs.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The updated guidance reaffirms constitutional protections for church autonomy, stating that the government may not interfere in the internal governance of religious organizations, including employment decisions made in accordance with their religious mission.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The memo also emphasizes parental rights, citing recent Supreme Court decisions recognizing parents as having a constitutional right to direct their children\u2019s religious upbringing and education. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Last year, in <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/4599687\/religious-liberty-250-america-most-radical-idea\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4599687\">Mahmoud v. Taylor<\/a><\/em>, the high court ruled that a Maryland school district violated the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/op-eds\/4653511\/permit-pray-in-house-grand-v-city-university-heights\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4653511\">free exercise clause<\/a> after the district refused to let parents opt their young children out of reading LGBT-themed storybooks.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis right extends beyond a mere right to teach religion in the confines of one\u2019s home and encompasses the choices parents make for their children outside the home,\u201d the memorandum said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The updated guidance also addresses the relationship between the establishment clause and the free exercise clause, arguing that the two constitutional provisions work together to protect religious liberty. It states that the establishment clause prohibits the government from coercing religious observance, discriminating against individuals or religious groups based on their beliefs, or interfering with the internal affairs of religious organizations. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHistory and tradition reveal that the Establishment Clause forbids the government from coercing religious observance, discriminating against individuals on the basis of religious belief or practice, discriminating between religious groups, or abridging religious communities\u2019 autonomy or interfering in their internal affairs,\u201d the memorandum read. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-transform:uppercase\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/4599687\/religious-liberty-250-america-most-radical-idea\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/4599687\/religious-liberty-250-america-most-radical-idea\/\">Religious liberty at 250: America\u2019s most radical idea<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The memo fits into the Trump administration\u2019s broader effort to roll back \u201canti-Christian bias\u201d from the Biden administration. The efforts follow President Donald Trump\u2019s early second-term\u00a0executive order establishing the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cReligious liberty is one of our Nation\u2019s founding principles and a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution,\u201d acting Attorney General Todd Blanche <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/pr\/acting-attorney-general-blanche-issues-updated-guidance-strengthen-federal-religious-liberty\">said<\/a>.\u00a0\u201cIt is essential that federal agencies fully respect and protect the ability of all Americans to live out their faith in daily life, including in their interactions with the federal government.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Justice Dept updates religious liberty guidance to reflect recent Supreme Court rulings<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4195,"featured_media":2634135,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26174422113279.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[33274,7076,41109,32275],"class_list":["post-2634134","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-civil-rights","tag-doj","tag-religious-liberty","tag-supreme-court"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26174422113279.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2634134","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4195"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2634134"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2634134\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2634138,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2634134\/revisions\/2634138"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2634135"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2634134"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2634134"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2634134"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}