Texas Judge Rejects Push to Let Churches Make Political Endorsements

A Trump-appointed federal judge in Texas has denied a request from a coalition of Texas churches and the IRS to overturn the Johnson Amendment, the longstanding law that prohibits tax-exempt nonprofits, including religious organizations, from endorsing or opposing political candidates. The ruling is being hailed as a landmark decision by advocates of the separation of church and state, who argued that allowing churches to make political endorsements would blur the line between religious institutions and political organizations. The Johnson Amendment, enacted in 1954, has long been a point of contention among religious conservatives who argue it infringes on their First Amendment rights to free speech and religious expression. Supporters of the law, however, contend that it protects the integrity of both religious institutions and the democratic process by keeping houses of worship out of partisan politics. The coalition of churches that brought the lawsuit argued that their faith compels them to speak out on political matters, including endorsing candidates who align with their values. The judge, however, found that the Johnson Amendment does not unconstitutionally restrict religious speech, noting that churches remain free to discuss political issues and moral questions from the pulpit. Legal experts say the ruling is likely to be appealed, and the case could eventually reach the Supreme Court. The decision comes amid a broader national conversation about the role of religion in American public life.