Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Establishes the Religious Liberty Commission

5/1/2025

Fact Sheets

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Action Summary

Commission Establishment: President Trump signed an Executive Order to establish the Religious Liberty Commission to safeguard America’s founding principle of religious freedom.
Commission Composition: Will include a Chairman, Vice Chairman, ex officio officials, and members from diverse religious and professional backgrounds such as clergy, legal experts, academics, and public advocates.
Commission Mandate: Tasked with compiling a comprehensive report on America’s religious liberty foundations, current threats, and strategies to enhance protections for future generations.
Key Focus Areas: Address issues like parental rights in religious education, school choice, conscience protections, assaults on houses of worship, free speech for religious entities, and institutional autonomy.
Policy Advisory Role: To advise the White House Faith Office and the Domestic Policy Council, recommending executive or legislative actions to protect religious freedoms.
Underlying Concerns: Responds to perceived erosion of First Amendment rights by recent Federal and State policies, which have targeted conscience protections and undermined the stability of faith-based institutions.
Past Actions and Commitments: Builds on previous executive actions, including the promotion of free speech, protection of conscience rights, creation of the White House Faith Office, and establishment of a Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias.

Risks & Considerations

The establishment of the Religious Liberty Commission could lead to increased scrutiny and potential changes in policies affecting religious institutions, including those affiliated with Vanderbilt University. This may require the university to reassess its policies and practices to ensure compliance with new guidelines.
There is a risk that the focus on religious liberty might lead to conflicts with existing non-discrimination policies, particularly in areas such as admissions, hiring, and campus activities. Vanderbilt may need to navigate these complexities carefully to maintain its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The emphasis on parental rights in religious education and school choice could impact the landscape of K-12 education, potentially affecting the preparedness and diversity of students applying to Vanderbilt in the future.
Vanderbilt may need to engage with the Commission and other advisory boards to ensure that its interests and the interests of its diverse community are represented in discussions about religious liberty policies.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt Divinity School may see increased demand for expertise in religious liberty and interfaith dialogue, presenting opportunities for research and collaboration with the Commission and other religious organizations.
The Office of Religious Life at Vanderbilt might need to adjust its programming and support services to align with new religious liberty policies and to address any emerging challenges or opportunities.
Vanderbilt’s Legal Department may need to provide guidance on compliance with new religious liberty regulations and to address any legal challenges that arise from changes in policy.
The Peabody College of Education and Human Development could play a role in researching the impacts of school choice and parental rights in religious education, contributing valuable insights to policy discussions.

Financial Impact

Changes in funding policies for religious institutions could affect Vanderbilt’s financial planning, particularly if there are shifts in federal or state support for faith-based programs and initiatives.
Vanderbilt may need to explore new funding opportunities related to religious liberty research and advocacy, potentially collaborating with government agencies and religious organizations.
The university might experience changes in its donor base or philanthropic support, depending on how its policies align with or diverge from the priorities of the Religious Liberty Commission and its stakeholders.
There could be financial implications related to compliance with new regulations, including potential costs associated with legal consultations, policy adjustments, and staff training.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks typically involving compliance or ethics.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Office of Religious Life should engage with the newly established Religious Liberty Commission to ensure that the university’s policies align with federal guidelines on religious freedom. This engagement can help Vanderbilt navigate potential changes in funding and non-profit status for faith-based entities.
The Department of Political Science should conduct research on the implications of the Commission’s findings and recommendations. This research can provide insights into how changes in religious liberty policies might affect educational institutions and inform Vanderbilt’s strategic planning.
Vanderbilt’s Legal Affairs Office should review current policies and practices related to religious freedom and conscience protections. By ensuring compliance with new federal guidelines, the university can mitigate risks associated with potential legal challenges.
The Peabody College of Education and Human Development should explore opportunities to contribute to discussions on parental rights in religious education and school choice. By participating in these conversations, Peabody can influence policy development and enhance its reputation as a leader in education policy.
Vanderbilt’s Center for the Study of Religion and Culture should organize forums and workshops to discuss the Commission’s work and its impact on religious pluralism in America. These events can position Vanderbilt as a thought leader in the national conversation on religious liberty.

Opportunities

The establishment of the Religious Liberty Commission presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Divinity School to engage in interdisciplinary research on religious freedom. By collaborating with legal experts and policymakers, the Divinity School can contribute to shaping future religious liberty policies.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the focus on religious liberty by developing partnerships with faith-based organizations. These partnerships can enhance the university’s community engagement and provide new avenues for research and service initiatives.
The emphasis on protecting religious institutions offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Development Office to explore new funding sources and partnerships with religious entities. By aligning with federal priorities, the university can secure additional resources to support its mission.
By engaging with the broader religious community, Vanderbilt can position itself as a leader in promoting religious pluralism and understanding. Hosting conferences and public forums on religious liberty can further establish Vanderbilt as a hub for innovative thought and practice in this area.

Relevance Score: 4 (The executive order presents significant opportunities and potential risks for Vanderbilt’s programs, requiring major process changes to align with new federal guidelines on religious liberty.)

Average Relevance Score: 3

Timeline for Implementation

N/A – The fact sheet does not provide any specific deadlines or timeframes for the directives’ implementation.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Religious Liberty Commission: This newly established commission is charged with investigating religious liberty, producing a comprehensive report, and advising on strategies to protect religious freedoms.
White House Faith Office: The Commission will provide advice to this office, which plays a role in integrating faith-based perspectives into national policy.
Domestic Policy Council: Tasked with coordinating domestic policies, this council will consider the Commission’s recommendations to shape future legislative or executive actions on religious liberty.
Department of Justice (DOJ): The existing structure at the DOJ is impacted by the directive to form the “Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias,” addressing concerns of religious discrimination in enforcement practices.

Relevance Score: 2 (A few government organizations—specifically four entities—are directly impacted by this executive action.)

Responsible Officials

Religious Liberty Commission Chairman and Vice Chairman – Designated by the President to lead the commission in producing its comprehensive report and recommendations.
Ex Officio Government Officials (within the Commission) – Contribute policy expertise and oversight as part of the commission’s membership.
White House Faith Office Officials – Tasked with receiving advice from the commission and coordinating faith-based policy initiatives.
Domestic Policy Council Officials – Responsible for integrating the commission’s recommendations into broader domestic policy directives.
Department of Justice Task Force (to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias) – Charged with implementing the directive to combat anti-Christian bias and related governmental actions.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect White House and high-level Cabinet officials, given the involvement of the President’s appointees, the White House Faith Office, and key executive agencies.)