Rev. Jamal Bryant Calls Out Double Standard in IRS Scrutiny of Black Churches
Rev. Jamal Bryant, senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Georgia, publicly criticized what he called unequal enforcement of the Johnson Amendment. Bryant said the IRS scrutinizes Black churches more heavily than white evangelical institutions that align with conservative political causes.
Rev. Jamal Bryant, senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, spoke out in July 2026 against what he described as a double standard in how the IRS enforces the Johnson Amendment against Black churches.
The Johnson Amendment, enacted in 1954, prohibits 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations, including churches, from endorsing political candidates. Bryant argued that the law is applied selectively, with Black churches facing greater scrutiny than white evangelical congregations that openly support conservative political figures.
Bryant's comments came as a coalition of religious groups appealed a federal court ruling that dismissed their lawsuit challenging the amendment. A judge dismissed the case in March 2026, ruling that federal courts lack jurisdiction to create exemptions from tax law. The plaintiffs filed their appeal in July.
The Trump administration had previously said it would issue new guidance on the amendment for religious organizations, but that guidance had not been released as of late July 2026.
Bryant has been a vocal advocate for civic engagement in the Black church. New Birth Missionary Baptist Church has historically organized voter registration drives and community outreach programs.
The debate over the Johnson Amendment has intensified ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.
