President Donald Trump Names Advisory Board Members to the Religious Liberty Commission

Action Summary

• Establishment of the Commission: On May 1, 2025, an Executive Order was signed to establish the Religious Liberty Commission, with Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick as chair, Dr. Ben Carson as vice chair, and 11 commission members.
• Designation of Advisory Boards: President Trump designated members to serve on three advisory boards made up respectively of religious leaders, legal experts, and lay advisors.
• Advisory Board of Religious Leaders: Comprised of prominent figures in faith communities including:
  • Bishop Salvatore Cordileone – Archbishop of San Francisco and active in USCCB committees.
  • Pastor Jentezen Franklin – Senior Pastor of Free Chapel and noted author.
  • Archbishop Elpidophoros of America – Eighth Archbishop, active in the World Council of Churches.
  • Father Thomas Ferguson – Pastor and author focused on Catholic-American political theology.
  • Rabbi Mark Gottlieb – Leader in Jewish education and thought, with extensive academic and community roles.
  • Pastor Jack Graham – Senior Pastor with a record in national prayer initiatives and religious literature.
  • Rabbi Yaakov Menken – Executive VP at the Coalition for Jewish Values and a noted contributor to Orthodox Jewish thought.
  • Bishop Thomas Paprocki – Bishop known for his “Fortnight for Freedom” advocacy and religious liberty engagements.
  • Bishop Kevin Rhoades – Chair of the USCCB Committee on Religious Liberty, also contributing to doctrinal and anti-racism efforts.
  • Rabbi Eitan Webb – Co-founder of Chabad House of Princeton and active campus minister.
  • Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel – Executive VP of Agudath Israel of America, noted for organizing major Orthodox gatherings.
• Advisory Board of Legal Experts: Features leading figures in law and constitutional studies including:
  • Francis Beckwith – Professor with expertise in philosophy, church-state studies, and jurisprudence.
  • Jason Bedrick – Research Fellow at The Heritage Foundation focusing on education and religious liberty.
  • Josh Blackman – Constitutional law expert and academic with national recognition.
  • Gerald Bradley – Law professor at the University of Notre Dame with an extensive publication record.
  • Alyza Lewin – President of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law and experienced litigator.
  • Kristen Waggoner – CEO and general counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom, a key advocate for religious rights.
• Advisory Board of Lay Leaders: Composed of media professionals, academics, and community activists such as:
  • Abigail Robertson Allen – Veteran reporter and podcast co-host focused on faith-related topics.
  • Gene Bailey – Television host known for discussing current events and spiritual awakenings.
  • Mark David Hall – Regent University professor and author specializing in early American history and faith.
  • Alveda King – Civil rights advocate and leader at the Center for the American Dream.
  • Christopher Levenick – Director at the Connelly Foundation and editor with a focus on civic renewal and religion.
  • Sameerah Munshi – Advocate for opposing radical gender ideology in schools with active legal testimony.
  • Ismail Royer – Director for the Islam and Religious Freedom Action Team, with extensive work promoting interfaith peace.
  • Ryan Tucker – Senior counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, leading litigation efforts for religious rights.
  • Shaykh Hamza Yusuf – Influential Islamic scholar and co-founder of Zaytuna College, noted for his academic impact in classical learning.