Trump Increases Protections for Religious Expression in Federal Workforce

The Trump administration has issued new guidelines requiring federal agencies to protect the religious expression of those working within the civil service.

This week, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, Scott Kupor, sent a memo to federal agencies entitled “Protecting Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace” which emphasized how the federal workplace should welcome employees of faith and how religious discrimination violates the law, potentially impacting recruitment and retention.

The memo goes on to cite the First Amendment and federal statutes that prohibit discrimination based on religion or religious expression.

According to the memo, federal workers are now permitted to display religious items such as Bibles, crucifixes, or mezuzahs on their desks, as well as being able to pray in groups during off-duty hours, invite colleagues to religious services, and discuss their beliefs publicly without fear of reprisal.

Permissible expressions include keeping and using religious items like Bibles, rosary beads, or tefillin during breaks. Additionally, agencies cannot selectively restrict religious posters, such as those featuring a crucifix or Star of David, whilst allowing other posters. Employees may also wear religious symbols or clothing with religious messages.

Employees can engage in polite discussions about their faith during breaks but must stop if asked. They may invite colleagues to worship services, and supervisors can post invitations to religious events on designated bulletin boards.

Public-facing expressions are also permitted, such as a park ranger praying with a tour group or a VA doctor praying for a patient’s recovery.

Speaking with Fox News Digital, who obtained a copy of the memo, Kupor stated: “Federal employees should never have to choose between their faith and their career …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.”
“This memorandum provides guidance to agencies on robustly protecting and enforcing each Federal employee’s right to engage in religious expression in the Federal workplace consistent with the U.S. Constitution, Title VII, and other applicable sources of law,” Kupor wrote.

“Agencies should allow personal religious expression by Federal employees to the greatest extent possible unless such expression would impose an undue hardship on business operations. And they should review and (if necessary) revise their internal policies to ensure that they appropriately protect religious expression.”

The memo follows President Trump’s executive orders on eliminating anti-Christian bias and creating a Religious Liberty Commission, as well as OPM’s earlier guidance on religious accommodations.

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