Trump executive order on Johnson Amendment

[rlvaughn]

Trump executive order on religious liberty to focus on Johnson Amendment, sources say

The timing and contents of the order, which would come on the National Day of Prayer, are still "very fluid" and there are still several drafts, according to a senior administration official.

 

[church mouse guy]

I am reading that an executive order cannot overturn Johnson's federal law. I look for the GOP to do nothing to repeal Johnson's open repression of free speech.

 

[Baptist Believer]

I am reading that an executive order cannot overturn Johnson's federal law. I look for the GOP to do nothing to repeal Johnson's open repression of free speech.

Everyone heavily involved in religious liberty law - except for the Administration and its boosters - says that the EO doesn't really do much of anything. That's includes conservative Christian analysts and the ACLU. Apparently the ACLU was ready to file suit based on the rumors they had heard about the intent. When the EO was actually issued, they analyzed it and realized that it doesn't really change anything.

For what it's worth, a lot of Christians believe that the Johnson Amendment is an excellent law.

 

[InTheLight]

Everyone heavily involved in religious liberty law - except for the Administration and its boosters - says that the EO doesn't really do much of anything.

Like most of his EO's it's just a proclamation with no call to action. Just states that citizens of the US have religious freedom rights and that the US executive branch will enforce and protect those laws. So, Trump issues an EO saying he promises to do his job.

Nothing new is proposed. In fact here is the last paragraph:

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

 

[Baptist Believer]

Trump issues an EO saying he promises to do his job.

I showed up at the office this morning, as scheduled, and have been working on my projects. I need to add that to my resume as a major accomplishment and brag about it when it comes time for review.

Apparently, that's the standard for "winning" now.

 

[rlvaughn]

Everyone heavily involved in religious liberty law - except for the Administration and its boosters - says that the EO doesn't really do much of anything.

That seems to be the analysis of most everyone, and seems to be accurate. Whatever it does, if it does anything, would only be done while Trump is President. Seems the most it could possibly do would be to recommend or instruct the IRS to just not enforce the Johnson Amendment -- which is pretty much what they are already doing.

Apparently the ACLU was ready to file suit based on the rumors they had heard about the intent. When the EO was actually issued, they analyzed it and realized that it doesn't really change anything.

I'm surprised the ACLU would want to wade off into this. It seems to me that some of the churches that are politically active would be on "their side". I understand your comment to mean that since it doesn't do anything that the ACLU took any thoughts of suing of the table. Is that correct?

 

[Baptist Believer]

I'm surprised the ACLU would want to wade off into this. It seems to me that some of the churches that are politically active would be on "their side". I understand your comment to mean that since it doesn't do anything that the ACLU took any thoughts of suing of the table. Is that correct?

Yes. It is innocuous, so there's nothing to dispute.

Regarding the ACLU's "side" on religious liberty, they have been fairly consistent on issues of separation of church and state. While I have some disagreements with them regarding religious exemptions for business owners and institutions, I generally agree them on separation of church and state as it is, historically, a Baptist view.