Overview
- The Religious Liberty Commission, chaired by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, presented its 224‑page draft report to President Trump on Friday, June 26, 2026, and the Department of Justice posted the report for a 15‑day public comment period that closes July 12.
- The report advances 12 recommendations that call for immediate administrative moves such as DOJ guidance on the Establishment Clause, a DOJ religious‑liberty task force, reporting hotlines and 'Know Your Rights' materials for schools, health providers, and service members.
- It urges broad conscience protections in health care and education, asks the Defense Department to restore benefits and streamline religious accommodations for service members who refused COVID‑19 vaccines, and recommends repealing the Johnson Amendment — a change that would require congressional action.
- The commission’s membership and findings have prompted a multifaith lawsuit and sustained criticism that the panel is ideologically skewed toward conservative Christian views, while conservative outlets and the DOJ emphasize enforcement and restitution for those the report says were penalized for religious beliefs.
- If adopted, the report could prompt faster DOJ interventions, new agency guidance and changes in military and medical policy that directly affect teachers, health professionals and servicemembers, and the public comment period and planned virtual meeting will determine how the draft is revised before finalization.