Federal Judge Dismisses Challenge to Trump Religious Liberty Commission's Christian-Majority Composition

U.S. District Judge John P. Cronan, a Trump appointee, dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Interfaith Alliance and Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh groups challenging the legitimacy of President Trump's Religious Liberty Commission. The plaintiffs argued the commission's overwhelmingly conservative Christian makeup violated a federal law requiring balanced viewpoints on advisory commissions. Judge Cronan ruled that the law 'does not specify how balance should be achieved' and that the president has wide discretion in appointments. The commission, which includes one Orthodox Jewish rabbi among conservative Christians, issued a draft report in June questioning the separation of church and state. The Interfaith Alliance vowed to continue fighting, with a spokesperson stating, 'This commission is a vehicle for Christian nationalism, not religious liberty.'

“The statute does not mandate any particular method for achieving balance, and the President's appointment authority is broad.” — From Judge Cronan's ruling dismissing the lawsuit.