At a gathering of nearly 1,000 religious leaders on Tuesday, Donald Trump reportedly promised to end a ‘no-politicking’ rule that currently prohibits many of their organizations from participating in political activities.
“I think maybe that will be my greatest contribution to Christianity — and other religions, is to allow you, when you talk religious liberty, to go and speak openly…” the presumptive Republican presidential nominee said during a forum moderated by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
“And if you like somebody or want somebody to represent you, you should have the right to do it,” Trump said, according to the Washington Post.
Congress passed a law in 1954, led by then-Texas Sen. Lyndon Johnson, that barred tax-exempt organizations, including churches, from speaking in favor of, or explicitly endorsing political candidates. Guidelines established by the IRS prohibit such groups from participating in activities that “favor one candidate over another, oppose a candidate in some manner; or have the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates.
A bill seeking to repeal the “Johnson Amendment” was introduced by Republican Congressman Walter Jones in the House last January, but never made it through the House.
Trump told the religious leaders present on Tuesday that he would focus on “freeing up your religions [and] freeing up your thoughts,” if he defeats Hillary Clinton in November.
“You talk about religious liberty and religious freedom, you don’t have any religious freedom if you think about it,” he reportedly said.
The billionaire spent about an hour fielding questions from several Christian leaders in attendance, according to Faith and Freedom Coalition Executive Director Tim Head.
“He reaffirmed his emphatic support for the pro-life movement and his commitment to nominating judges that are strict constitutionalists,” Head, who attended the gathering in New York City, told the Washington Examiner.
“I think a lot of people very much appreciated the content of his answers and just his willingness to come and spend a long time going through an event like this is,” Head said of Trump. “That alone may have provided reassurances and built bridges even more than his answers.”
