President Donald Trump has signed an executive order establishing a Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty, a move aimed at reinforcing protections for faith-based communities across the United States. The announcement was made during a National Day of Prayer event at the White House, where Trump emphasised the importance of religious freedom in American society.

During the ceremony, Donald Trump openly questioned the long-standing principle of separation between church and state, stating, “They say separation between church and state … I said, ‘All right, let’s forget about that for one time.’” His remarks have sparked debate among legal scholars and religious leaders about the implications of the commission.

The newly formed commission will be tasked with assessing the state of religious liberty in the U.S. and recommending policies to safeguard faith-based institutions. According to the White House, the commission will focus on key areas such as:

• Parental rights in religious education
• School choice
• Conscience protections
• Attacks on houses of worship
• Free speech for religious entities
• Institutional autonomy.

The commission will be chaired by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who reportedly proposed the idea to Trump. Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson will serve as vice chair. Other members include religious leaders, legal experts, and scholars.

During the event, Patrick praised Trump’s commitment to faith-based initiatives, stating, “There’s never been a president who’s invoked the name of Jesus more than you.” The commission is expected to convene at the White House and produce a report outlining strategies to strengthen religious liberty for future generations.

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