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EO 14291Executive OrderTrump 47 · R

Executive Order 14291

Establishment of the Religious Liberty Commission

This executive order establishes a 14-member Religious Liberty Commission, supported by three advisory boards, to study and report on threats to religious liberty in the United States and recommend policy responses. The Commission is tasked with producing a comprehensive report on religious liberty foundations, current threats, and preservation strategies, with a termination date of July 4, 2026.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 19417

Impact dates

  1. 47d ago

    Commission members' terms expire; Commission terminates unless extended by President

Key directives

  • Establish Religious Liberty Commission with up to 14 presidential appointees plus 3 ex officio members
  • Designate Chairman and Vice Chairman from among members
  • Establish three advisory boards: Religious Leaders (≤15), Lay Leaders (≤15), Legal Experts (AG + ≤10 attorneys)
  • Produce comprehensive report on religious liberty foundations, threats, and preservation strategies
  • Advise White House Faith Office and Domestic Policy Council on religious liberty policies
  • DOJ to provide funding and administrative support using existing appropriations
  • Attorney General to perform FACA functions except sections 1005 and 1013

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Commission establishment
  • Advisory boards to be designated by President

Near term (90d)

  • Commission membership appointments and designations of Chairman/Vice Chairman
  • Advisory Board members designated

Long term

  • Comprehensive report on religious liberty to be produced
  • Commission termination on July 4, 2026 unless extended

Risks & tensions

  • Commission's broad mandate ('debanking,' vaccine mandates, school prayer, parental rights) touches polarized culture-war issues with potential to conflict with existing civil rights frameworks
  • Advisory role to White House Faith Office and legislative recommendations blur line between study and policy advocacy
  • Vague 'to the extent permitted by law' and 'subject to availability of appropriations' language may limit actual operational capacity
  • Commission's framing of religious liberty as potentially in tension with civil rights could generate legal and social conflict
Executive Order 14291: Establishment of the Religious Liberty Commission · Executive Orders