A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by an interfaith group challenging the legitimacy of President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission. The group argued that the commission’s predominantly conservative Christian composition lacked the legally required diversity of viewpoints.
Judge’s Decision
Judge John P. Cronan stated that while federal law mandates advisory commissions to have a balanced range of perspectives, it does not specify how to achieve this balance. He emphasized that Trump has significant discretion in choosing commission members.
The Plaintiffs’ Concerns
The lawsuit included multiple plaintiffs such as the progressive Interfaith Alliance, along with Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh groups. They claimed the commission was mostly conservative Christians, along with one Orthodox Jewish rabbi, and criticized some commissioners for questioning church-state separation and endorsing the idea of America as a Judeo-Christian nation.
Responses to Criticisms
The critics’ apprehensions seemed justified when a draft report issued by the commission in June questioned modern understandings of church-state separation and proposed “bridges” between them.
However, Cronan ruled the lawsuit could not legally proceed, noting the commission’s diversity in other aspects, including the presence of clergy and lay people. He acknowledged adherents of at least five different religions were part of the commission.
Interfaith Alliance’s Argument
The Interfaith Alliance asserted the commission’s members believed that religious beliefs should be prioritized over civil rights for minority groups. Cronan countered this by stating Trump’s executive order creating the commission did not view “religious liberty as inconsistent with civil rights,” thus not obligating him to include dissenting members.
Criticisms by Interfaith Alliance
The Interfaith Alliance criticized the commission’s draft report for failing to address critical issues like anti-Muslim attacks and accused it of favoring certain religious groups.
Note: Associated Press religion coverage is supported by collaboration with The Conversation US, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc., but AP retains full content responsibility.
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