The times are changing. And it’s happening quicker than you think.
Now the IRS reversed a decades-long rule that changes everything.
Championing Religious Freedom
On Monday, the IRS made a bold move to empower religious institutions by lifting a decades-old restriction, allowing places of worship to endorse political candidates without fear of losing their tax-exempt status.
This historic shift, driven by President Donald Trump’s commitment to religious liberty, settles a lawsuit from two Texas churches and a Christian broadcasters’ association.
The IRS, alongside the plaintiffs, urged a federal judge to ensure that the Trump administration and future administrations refrain from enforcing the outdated ban, as reported by the New York Times.
“Thus, communications from a house of worship to its congregation in connection with religious services through its usual channels of communication on matters of faith do not run afoul of the Johnson Amendment as properly interpreted,” the IRS stated in a joint court filing, framing endorsements as a private expression of faith.
Reforming the Johnson Amendment
The decision reinterprets the Johnson Amendment, a 1954 tax code provision that previously barred tax-exempt organizations, including churches and nonprofits, from endorsing or opposing political candidates.
Violating this rule once risked stripping institutions of their tax-exempt status, though enforcement was rare.
President Trump has long championed overturning this restriction, declaring in 2017 his intent to “totally destroy” the Johnson Amendment.
The IRS’s new stance aligns with Trump’s vision, ensuring religious groups can freely express their values without government overreach.
By clarifying that endorsements during religious services are private matters, the IRS strengthens the constitutional protections for faith communities, a move celebrated by supporters of religious freedom.
Balancing Liberty and Concerns
While this change marks a victory for religious liberty, the National Council of Nonprofits, representing 30,000 organizations, raised concerns about potential misuse.
Diane Yentel, the group’s president, warned that the move could allow political operatives to exploit nonprofit status for campaign finance advantages, stating, “not about religion or free speech, but about radically altering campaign finance laws.”
Despite these concerns, the policy shift reflects Trump’s broader agenda to prioritize free speech and religious expression, ensuring faith-based organizations can engage in political discourse without fear of punitive tax consequences.
