Liberty Counsel

Another Historic ‘Circle of Peace’ Agreement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Donald Trump announced another historic peace and normalization agreement between the Republic of Sudan and Israel. President Trump, Sudanese Chairman of the Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, spoke today to discuss Sudan’s historic progress toward ending old conflicts and building a future of peace and opportunity for all the people in the region.

Judge Barrett’s Nomination Advances to Full Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Judiciary Committee voted today to advance Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination to the full Senate floor. The vote was 12 in favor and 10 no-shows. Republicans voted unanimously to advance the nomination despite a Democratic boycott of the meeting. Consideration of the Barrett nomination by the full Senate begins tomorrow and continues throughout the weekend, with a final vote expected on Monday.

Pastors and Faith Leaders Must Speak Up

ORLANDO, FL – A recent Barna Research Group study revealed that many pastors are silent on what they consider “political” issues; yet the majority of their congregations want them to speak up. Forty-eight percent of people who attend church at least monthly and say their faith is important to them are more engaged in political issues, while two in five say their involvement has stayed the same. Unchurched adults—those who have not attended church within the past six months—report the least increased involvement over the past four years, with one-third noting an increase in engagement.

Colorado Churches Win Against COVID Orders

DENVER, CO – A federal district judge issued a 44-page decision granting an injunction in favor of two churches against Governor Jared Polis’ discriminatory COVID orders that place numerical restrictions on houses of worship and require masks. The order in Denver Bible Church v. Azar prevents the state of Colorado from enforcing the indoor occupancy limitations and the face-covering requirement on the churches. Pastors Bob Enyart of Denver Bible Church in Wheat Ridge and Joey Rhoads of Community Baptist Church in Brighton filed the lawsuit in August.

KY Church Injunction Remains Against Gov. Beshear

BULLITT COUNTY, KY – Today, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling regarding Maryville Baptist Church in its lawsuit against Gov. Andy Beshear. The Court of Appeals ruled the appeal is moot because the church already won a preliminary injunction in the lower court. The Court of Appeals also stated that its two prior 3-0 decisions granting injunctions pending appeal remain binding precedent.

LCA Files FEC Complaint Against Facebook

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Liberty Counsel Action (LCA) filed a formal complaint with the Federal Election Commission against Facebook based on the social media’s suppression of posts about the presidential election. Federal law prohibits corporations such as Facebook from making “a contribution or expenditure in connection with any” presidential election. Contributions include “anything of value” given “for the purpose of influencing any election for Federal office.”

Victory for Christian Adoption Agency

ALBANY, NY – A federal court judge ruled that a New York-based Christian adoption agency cannot be forced to close due to its policy of only placing children with married heterosexual couples. U.S. District Court Judge Mae D’Agostino issued the preliminary injunction against the New York Office of Children and Family Services’ enforcement of its discriminatory policy. The judge stated that the state’s behavior “demonstrates some animosity towards particular religious beliefs” against the adoption agency, New Hope Family Services.

Court Says DC Mayor “Misses the Point” of Religious Freedom

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A federal judge ruled in favor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church against the Washington, D.C. mayor’s discriminatory restrictions on outdoor worship services. Judge Trevor McFadden, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, granted a preliminary injunction allowing the church to hold outdoor services with more congregants than the district allows.

Romanian Churches Petition to SCOTUS

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Liberty Counsel filed a petition for cert asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case of Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church and Logos Baptist Ministries in their federal lawsuit against Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker for his unconstitutional executive orders discriminating against churches.

Colorado Does Not Get Injunction Against AWMI

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – During a hearing today before federal Judge Christine Arguello, Andrew Wommack Ministries International (AWMI) filed a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal, thus divesting the court from continuing hearing on an emergency motion filed by the county and state public health departments. Their motion requested that AWMI be held in contempt and prohibit future conferences.

Justices Invite Challenge to Fix Obergefell Mess

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Although the U.S. Supreme Court has declined to grant review of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals decision involving former Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis and regarding the legal doctrine known as qualified immunity, Justices Thomas and Alito appear to invite future challenges to the 2015 Obergefell marriage case. Justice Clarence Thomas (joined by Justice Samuel Alito) wrote that the Supreme Court’s majority decision in Obergefell v. Hodges caused a collision with religious liberty and the Court must fix it. Four justices, including Chief Justice John Roberts, strongly dissented in Obergefell. Justice Alito predicted the opinion would cause significant problems for religious freedom.

Churches Challenge Newsom’s Worship Ban in Appeals Court

RIVERSIDE, CA – Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry has filed its brief to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on the full merits of the request to block the First Amendment violations of Governor Gavin Newsom’s unconstitutional orders. The governor’s orders prohibit ALL worship in most of the state, including home Bible studies and fellowship with anyone who does not live in the home. Yet, Gov. Newsom continues to encourage mass gatherings of protestors throughout the state.

CO Governor Sued for Targeting Ministries

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Liberty Counsel filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Andrew Wommack Ministries International (AWMI) against Governor Jared Polis and the state and local public health departments for discriminating against religious gatherings with restricted numerical and capacity limitations that are not imposed on nonreligious gatherings. Liberty Counsel is seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction from the governor’s unconstitutional COVID-19 orders.

Amy Coney Barrett Impeccable Choice for High Court

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Judge Amy Coney Barrett will bring irrefutable character, education, and experience from her time in private practice, academia, and her service on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals to serve as Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. President Donald Trump said, “Apart from matters of war and peace, the nomination of a Supreme Court justice is the most important decision an American President can make.”

President Protects Children Who Survive Abortions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump announced today he will be signing a Born-Alive Executive Order “to ensure that all precious babies born alive, no matter their circumstances, receive the medical care that they deserve.” The executive order, once signed, will legally protect babies born alive after a failed abortion.

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.

CA Church Files Reply Brief for Emergency Relief

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Liberty Counsel has filed the reply on behalf of Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry regarding the request for an emergency motion for injunction pending appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals regarding Gov. Gavin Newsom’s unconstitutional orders.

Historic Signing of Abraham Accords

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, President Donald Trump signed the Abraham Accords, historic peace agreements that he coordinated to establish full diplomatic relations between the United States, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Israel. Liberty Counsel was represented at the White House signing ceremony by Founder and Chairman Mat Staver and Senior Counsel for Governmental Affairs Jonathan Alexandre. The first accord reached between the United States, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on August 13, 2020, is an unprecedented and courageous step toward a more stable, integrated, and prosperous Middle East. As a result, the UAE formally abolished its 40-year boycott law, thereby allowing its companies and individuals to trade directly with Israel.

CA Church Seeks Emergency Relief at Appeals Court

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Last Friday afternoon, Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry filed an emergency motion for injunction pending appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s unconstitutional orders.

President Trump Creates Judicial Legacy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Through the appointment and subsequent confirmations of hundreds of capable federal judges, President Trump has reshaped the federal judiciary, creating a judicial legacy that will last for decades to come. Since his inauguration, President Trump has appointed and had confirmed more judicial nominees than any other president. He has appointed over 200 federal judges, including more than 50 appeals court judges, and two Supreme Court Justices. To put the number of appeals court judges in perspective, President Obama appointed 55 appeals court judges during his entire eight years as President.