Trump Commission Recommends Replacing Church-State Separation with 'Bridges'

A Trump administration Religious Liberty Commission released a draft report recommending replacing the constitutional concept of church-state separation with building 'bridges' between them. The commission, composed almost entirely of conservative Christians, argues that church and state strengthen each other and traces strict separation concepts to 'God is dead' philosophy. The report includes recommendations for expanded prayer and religious symbols in public schools, increased federal funding for faith-based organizations, religious exemptions from healthcare and labor mandates, and DOJ interventions on behalf of religious objectors. Critics characterize the report as advocacy rather than investigation, representing a fundamental challenge to longstanding American constitutional principles. The commission was established by Trump administration executive action to examine religious liberty issues.

“The commission suggests replacing the idea of separating church and state with the idea of building bridges between them, challenging a longstanding concept in American law.” — From the commission's draft report describing its core recommendation to fundamentally reframe church-state relations in America