Churches Can Engage in Political Speech

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The chairman of the Federal Election Commission recently reaffirmed that non-profits, including churches and religious leaders, can engage in political speech, endorse candidates and host them on church property. FEC chair Trey Trainor referred to the executive order, “Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty,” signed by President Donald Trump on the National Day of Prayer, May 4, 2017. Trainor said, “One of the first things he did when he came into office in 2017 was issue an executive order to the Department of the Treasury, telling them that they could no longer enforce that provision of the law and that religious organizations needed to be treated the same as every other organization. The Johnson Amendment is still on the books, but with lack of enforcement authority by the executive agency, it’s a law that’s not going to be enforced.”