The Religious Liberty Commission

Defending the Freedom that Defines America

A Narrow Window. A Generational Responsibility.

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, we stand at a rare moment in history.

The President’s Religious Liberty Commission- the first of its kind- is preparing recommendations to strengthen constitutional protections. Recent Supreme Court decisions have reaffirmed key religious liberty principles.

Governing windows do not last forever. With national elections on the horizon and shifting political dynamics always in play, the opportunity to secure lasting protections for religious liberty is limited.

The 250th anniversary is not only a celebration of what was declared in 1776. It is a moment to secure what will define the next 250 years.

Commemorating 250 years of American freedom means more than remembering the past. It means honoring what was entrusted to us and ensuring that religious liberty endures for generations to come.

Stand with those defending the first freedom.

Add Your Name in Support of the

Religious Liberty Commission

A Narrow Window.

A Generational Responsibility.

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, we stand at a rare moment in history.

The President’s Religious Liberty Commission- the first of its kind- is preparing recommendations to strengthen constitutional protections.

The 250th anniversary is not only a celebration of what was declared in 1776. It is a moment to secure what will define the next 250 years.

Will you join us in supporting the Commission?

Add Your Name in Support of the Religious Liberty Commission

The Encinas Family

President Trump invited 12-year old Shea Encinas from southern California to share his story.

When Shea was in fifth grade, his elementary school forced him to read the book My Shadow is Pink with his kindergarten buddy—a book about radical transgender ideology that conflicted with his deeply held religious beliefs.

Valerie Cleveringa

The Commission heard testimony from our client Valerie Cleveringa, an elementary student from Michigan.

Valerie shared how she and her brother were told they couldn’t sing songs by Christian artists Brandon Lake and Colton Dixon for their school talent show because they were too religious.

Hannah Allen

President Trump introduced our client Hannah Allen of Honey Grove, Texas, who was told by school officials that she could not pray with her classmates and would have to “move behind a curtain or meet alone outside.”

After winning back her right to pray, Hannah had an opportunity to share her story at the White House during the first Trump administration.

Coach Joe Kennedy

The Commission heard from Coach Joe Kennedy, whose victory at the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 set a historic precedent protecting religious expression for teachers, coaches and public employees nationwide.

Coach Kennedy recounted his personal struggle after the school fired him for taking a knee to pray on the 50-yard line after each football game. He shared about the toll that this legal battle took on him and his family.

Marisol Arroyo-Castro

Connecticut schoolteacher Marisol Castro testified about the discrimination she’s facing because she displayed a small crucifix in her personal space near her desk. After more than 30 years of exemplary service, the New Britain School District is threatening to fire Marisol because she didn’t remove the cross from her workspace.

She was first suspended without pay, then placed on administrative leave, and reassigned to a non-teaching role.

Valerie Kloosterman

Valerie works inl health care and was committed to giving the best possible care to all her patients.

But after the University of Michigan Health acquired her clinic, they demanded she affirm statements about gender that violated her religious beliefs. When she asked for a religious accommodation, she was fired.

Valerie said, “I’m praying that God would use my case to protect religious liberty for my children and for the next generation so they can freely live out their faith in the workplace.”

Keisha Russell

First Liberty Senior Counsel Keisha Russell testified at the Commission as an expert witness.

Keisha offered her perspective about ongoing legal challenges and attacks on religious liberty in public schools.

She described how teachers and religious schools have been censored from mentioning God, told they can’t pray before a game between two Christian football teams or pray after simply because of the religious nature of the prayer.

Jeremy Dys

First Liberty Senior Counsel Jeremy Dys testified as an expert witness, urging the Commission to act and hold school districts accountable to respect students of faith.

“As heard in the testimonies from current and former clients, religious liberty is currently under attack from those who ignore the protections guaranteed in the First Amendment,” Dys said. “We trust that the recommendations made today will reach judges and elected officials who are sworn to uphold and protect the U.S. Constitution.”

Mike Berry

First Liberty attorney Mike Berry shared from his experience as an officer in the Marines. He described the hostility and harassment he faced when he requested a religious accommodation for the Covid-19 vaccine mandate.

“Religious liberty in the military is an issue of great personal importance, and I am honored to have been invited to testify,” Mike said. “The testimonies offered today demonstrate that religious hostility remains a problem, even in our military. But thanks to important initiatives such as this Commission, we have the opportunity to course correct.”

I believe kids like me should be able to live our faith at school without being forced to go against what we believe. I hope no other family has to go through what mine did.

— Shea Encinas, First Liberty Client