President Sends Greetings On Lunar New Year

The White House today issued a message from President Trump (full text) sending greetings to those in the U.S. and around the world who are celebrating the Lunar New Year.  He said in part:

On this occasion, we join millions around the globe in welcoming the Year of the Rat and embracing a new year filled with opportunities to make a positive impact in the lives of others.  As those of Asian heritage celebrate this special time of year ... we wish them happiness, health, and prosperity in the year to come.

January 16 Is Religious Freedom Day

January 16 is Religious Freedom Day-- celebrating the anniversary of the passage in 1786 of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom. Each year since 1993 the President has issued a proclamation marking the day. Presumably this year's Proclamation will be posted by the White House today. Gov. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska also issued a Proclamation (full text) recognizing the day.

UPDATE: Here is President Trump's Proclamation on Religious Freedom Day, 2020.

President Sends Christmas Greetings

The White House today posted President Trump's Message on Christmas. (full text).  He said in part:

While the challenges that face our country are great, the bonds that unite us as Americans are much stronger.  Together, we must strive to foster a culture of deeper understanding and respect—traits that exemplify the teachings of Christ.

The White House also posted the transcript of the President's  Video Teleconference With Members of the Military, extending Christmas and New Years greetings to them.

President Trump Issues Hanukkah Greetings

On Sunday, President Trump issued a Hanukkah message (full text) sending greetings from himself and Melania.  He said in part:

Today, the relationship between the United States and Israel, one of our most cherished allies and friends, is stronger than ever.  We will continue to stand with the Jewish people in defending the God-given right to worship freely and openly.

Trump Signs Executive Order On Title VI and Anti-Semitism

President Trump yesterday issued an Executive Order on Combating Anti-Semitism. The Order reads in part:

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), 42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq., prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance.  While Title VI does not cover discrimination based on religion, individuals who face discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin do not lose protection under Title VI for also being a member of a group that shares common religious practices.  Discrimination against Jews may give rise to a Title VI violation when the discrimination is based on an individual’s race, color, or national origin.

It shall be the policy of the executive branch to enforce Title VI against prohibited forms of discrimination rooted in anti-Semitism as vigorously as against all other forms of discrimination prohibited by Title VI....

The Executive Order goes on to provide that in enforcing Title VI, executive departments shall consider the definition of anti Semitism adopted ... by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, and "the 'Contemporary Examples of Anti-Semitism' identified by the IHRA, to the extent that any examples might be useful as evidence of discriminatory intent."

The White House issued a Fact Sheet on the Order which, as reported by AP, was signed during a White House Hanukkah reception.

Presidential Proclamation On Thanksgiving Issued

Yesterday President Trump issued the Presidential Proclamation on Thanksgiving Day, 2019 declaring today a National Day of Thanksgiving. The Proclamation reads in part:

As we gather today with those we hold dear, let us give thanks to Almighty God for the many blessings we enjoy.  United together as one people, in gratitude for the freedoms and prosperity that thrive across our land, we acknowledge God as the source of all good gifts.  We ask Him for protection and wisdom and for opportunities this Thanksgiving to share with others some measure of what we have so providentially received.

Energy Secy. Perry Compares Trump To Biblical Kings

The Hill reports on the release last weekend by Fox and Friends of portions of an interview with retiring Energy Secretary Rick Perry.  In the interview, Perry says that Trump is"the Chosen One" who was "sent by God to do great things." Rick Perry told the Fox interviewer:

God's used imperfect people all through history. King David wasn't perfect. Saul wasn't perfect. Solomon wasn't perfect....  And I actually gave the president a little one-pager on those Old Testament kings about a month ago and I shared it with him. I said, 'Mr. President, I know there are people that say you said you were the chosen one and I said, 'You were.’

I said, 'If you're a believing Christian, you understand God's plan for the people who rule and judge over us on this planet in our government.’

"Prosperity Gospel" Minister Joins White House Staff

New York Times reported last week that Florida-based evangelist Paula White will join the White House staff in an official capacity. She will work in the Office of Public Liaison as an adviser to the administration's Faith and Opportunity Initiative. White has been part of President Trump's informal religious advisers.  As a proponent of the "prosperity gospel", White is controversial among some Evangelicals.

White House Issues Yom Kippur Greetings

The White House today released a Presidential Message on Yom Kippur, 2019 (full text). The message reads in part:

On this day, as Jews around the world stand in front of the open ark, facing the holy Torah and asking God’s forgiveness, Melania and I pray that He may seal you in the Book of Life for the coming year and grant His people a year of sweetness and plenty.

Yom Kippur begins at sundown tonight.

President Trump Sends Rosh Hashanah Greetings

The White House today issued a Presidential Statement on Rosh Hashanah (full text). The holiday begins this evening.  The statement says in part:

...[W]e are all reminded of the virtues we can incorporate into our lives to better us as a Nation—kindness, compassion, and love. Together, with devotion to these ideals, we can form more sincere bonds with people of all faiths to help spread peace and prosperity in the United States and abroad.

Melania and I pray that those celebrating Rosh Hashanah build a more meaningful relationship with God throughout the High Holy Days.  May the Almighty bless you all.

House Holds Hearing on Trump's "Muslim Ban"

On Sept. 24, two subcommittees of the House Judiciary Committee held a joint hearing on Oversight of the Trump Administration’s Muslim Ban. A video of the full 4-hour hearing, along with copies of the prepared testimony of numerous witnesses and letters from other interested organizations are all available on the Judiciary Committee's website. [Thanks to Michael Lieberman for the lead.]

At the United Nations: Trump's Religious Liberty Forum; Report on Antisemitism; and Abortion Rights Concerns

Yesterday, on the first of his three day visit to the United Nations, President Donald Trump hosted a forum titled Global Call to Protect Religious Freedom. CBN and the New York Post reported on the event. Vice President Mike Pence opened the forum with remarks (full text) and an introduction of the President. President Trump, in an eleven-minute address (full text), said in part:

As we speak, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, Yazidis, and many other people of faith are being jailed, sanctioned, tortured, and even murdered, often at the hands of their own government, simply for expressing their deeply held religious beliefs.  So hard to believe.

Today, with one clear voice, the United States of America calls upon the nations of the world to end religious persecution.

Trump also announced that the U.S. is creating a coalition of U.S. businesses that will encourage the private sector to protect people of all faiths in the workplace. Others speakers at the forum included U.N. Secretary General António Guterres and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (video of their remarks).

In another development at the United Nations, the Secretary General on Friday released an interim report (full text) on Combatting Antisemitism. The 19-page report, from the U.N.'s Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, says in part:

The Special Rapporteur is alarmed by the increase in antisemitism in many countries driven by sources including individuals motivated by white supremacist and radical Islamist ideologies.... He is also concerned at the apparent increase in expressions of antisemitism emanating from sources on the political left as well as with discriminatory laws, regulations and policies of States.

Jerusalem Post covers the recently released report.

Also yesterday at the United Nations, world leaders reached agreement on the UN Political Declaration on Universal Health Coverage. (UN News report.) At the High Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar spoke (full text of statement). On behalf of the U.S. and 18 other nations, he noted one area of concern:

The United States joins consensus on today’s political declaration, in recognition of the importance of better health for all, but we wish to state clearly that we disassociate from paragraph 68 of the Declaration.

We do not accept the terms “sexual and reproductive health” and “sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights” in this Declaration....

These terms must always include language, which some countries blocked, to remind U.N. agencies that each nation has the sovereign right to implement related programs and activities consistent with their laws and policies, and that these terms in no way imply that there is an international right to abortion.

CNN reports on Azar's remarks.

Trump Speaks to Faith and Freedom Conference

President Trump yesterday spoke for an hour to those attending the Faith and Freedom Coalition “Road to Majority” 2019 Conference in Washington, D.C. (Full text of remarks.)  In his wide ranging comments on the accomplishments of his Administration, he said in part:

And we are once again defending and promoting our great American values.  And we’re saying, “Merry Christmas” again.  Do you notice?  Remember?  Remember?  (Applause.)   I usually save that for November, December, but I was just thinking — as I mentioned, I was saying, we’re going to say, “Merry Christmas.”  They were all taking it down off the department stores — everything.  You’d see a big red — they’d say, “Happy Holidays.”  No “Merry Christmas.”  They’re saying, “Merry Christmas,” again.  It’s very interesting.  And they’re proud of it.  (Applause.)...

And now, by the way, because of what we did with respect to the Johnson Amendment — you know what I’m talking about — our leaders, like all of the people that have been so supportive — our pastors, our ministers, our priests, our rabbis — all of our religious leaders — every — we’re allowed to speak again.  We’re allowed to talk without having to lose your tax exemption, your tax status, and being punished for speaking.  (Applause.)  And the people that we most want to hear, our great clergy, is now able to speak without fear of retribution....

We’re cherishing our nation’s religious heritage once again.  My administration has taken historic action to protect religious liberty. (Applause.)  We are protecting the conscience rights of doctors, and nurses, and teachers, and groups like the Little Sisters of the Poor.  We’re with them.  (Applause.)....

Americans’ belief in God has forged the character of our country and made our nation a light unto the world.  We are respected again as a nation, I will tell you that.  And I’m not only talking about from a religious standpoint.  Our country is respected again.  (Applause.)

Ramadan Begins; President Sends Greetings

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan began in most countries, including the United States, yesterday (May 6).  As reported by the Khaleej Times, one country (Mali) began Ramadan on May 5, and ten countries began the holy month today (May 7). On Sunday (May 5) President Trump issued a Message (full text) sending greetings to all Muslims celebrating Ramadan, saying in part:

Throughout this month, we all have an opportunity to reflect on the blessings we have been given and to work toward greater fellowship with one another.  Together, in the spirit of Ramadan, we can achieve a more harmonious and respectful society.

Today Is National Day of Prayer

Earlier this week, President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation (full text) declaring today as a National Day of Prayer.  The Proclamation is called for by 36 USC §119 passed by Congress in 1988. The Proclamation states in part:

Our Nation acknowledges that religious liberty is a natural right, given to us by our Creator, not a courtesy that government extends to us.  The First Amendment recognizes the freedom of religion and safeguards this right against government infringement.  The United States’ steadfast commitment to upholding religious freedom has ensured that people of different faiths can pray together and live in peace as fellow American citizens.  We have no tolerance for those who disrupt this peace, and we condemn all hate and violence, particularly in our places of worship.

According to CBN News, last night the President hosted 100 religious leaders of a wide variety of faiths at a White House dinner.  In remarks, the President said in part:

All of us in this room send our love and prayers to the Jewish Americans wounded at the Chabad of Poway shooting in California. And our hearts break for the life of Laurie Gilbert-Kaye who was so wickedly taken from us."

We mourn for the Christians murdered in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday and grieve for the Muslims murdered at their mosques in New Zealand.  Here at home, we also remember the three historically black churches burned recently in Louisiana and the horrific shooting last year at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.

The non-governmental National Day of Prayer Committee has scheduled an observance in Washington, D.C. for this evening.

UPDATE: Vice President Pence spoke at a White House Rose Garden ceremony marking the National Day of Prayer. (full text of remarks).

President Trump Issues Executive Order On Campus Free Speech

President Trump yesterday signed Executive Order on Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities. (Full text). In lengthy remarks (full text) delivered by the President at the signing ceremony for the Executive Order, Trump emphasized the protection of religious speech.  He  introduced three students at the ceremony.  One, the president of Students for Life at Miami University, was required to post "trigger warnings" about a display of wooden crosses representing lives of the unborn. Another student from the University of Nebraska reported she was cursed at by staff and an instructor while standing at a table representing a conservative campus group. A third student from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College was told she was restricted to the campus free speech zone to hand out Valentine cards with messages such as "You are special" and "Jesus loves you."

President Trump said in part:

Today, we are delivering a clear message to the professors and power structures trying to suppress dissent and keep young Americans — and all Americans, not just young Americans like Ellen and Kaitlyn and Polly — from challenging rigid, far-left ideology.  People who are confident in their beliefs do not censor others — we don’t want to censor others — they welcome free, fair and open debate.  And that’s what we’re demanding.

Under the policy I am announcing today, federal agencies will use their authority under various grant-making programs to ensure that public universities protect, cherish — protect the First Amendment and First Amendment rights of their students, or risk losing billions and billions of dollars of federal taxpayer dollars.

The Executive Order itself, however, is vaguer, saying:

It is the policy of the Federal Government to: (a)  encourage institutions to foster environments that promote open, intellectually engaging, and diverse debate, including through compliance with the First Amendment for public institutions and compliance with stated institutional policies regarding freedom of speech for private institutions;....

To advance the policy described in subsection 2(a) of this order, the heads of covered agencies shall, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, take appropriate steps, in a manner consistent with applicable law, including the First Amendment, to ensure institutions that receive Federal research or education grants promote free inquiry, including through compliance with all applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies.

Much of the Executive Order is devoted to other issues-- primarily transparency regarding the cost of college and student borrowing.

President Addresses National Prayer Breakfast

Yesterday President Trump delivered a 20-minute address to the 2019 National Prayer Breakfast. (Full text). The President emphasized his positions and actions his Administration has taken on numerous issues including human trafficking, abortion and faith-based adoption agencies. Trump said in part:

As President, I will always cherish, honor, and protect the believers who uplift our communities and sustain our nation. To ensure that people of faith can always contribute to our society, my administration has taken historic action to protect religious liberty.

Excerpts of Interest From President Trump's State of the Union Address

President Trump delivered his State of the Union address to Congress last night. (Full text). Here are some excerpts that are of interest to those concerned with religious liberty and church-state issues:

We can make our communities safer, our families stronger, our culture richer, our faith deeper, and our middle class and more prosperous than ever before...

To help support working parents, the time has come to pass school choice for America’s children....

There could be no greater contrast to the beautiful image of a mother holding her infant child than the chilling displays our nation saw in recent days. Lawmakers in New York cheered with delight upon the passage of legislation that would allow a baby to be ripped from the mother’s womb moments before birth. These are living, feeling, beautiful babies who will never get the chance to share their love and dreams with the world. And then, we had the case of the governor of Virginia where he stated he would execute a baby after birth. To defend the dignity of every person, I am asking the Congress to pass legislation to prohibit the late-term abortion of children who can feel pain in the mother’s womb. Let us work together to build a culture that cherishes innocent life.

And let us reaffirm a fundamental truth — all children — born and unborn — are made in the holy image of God....

And last fall, we put in place the toughest sanctions ever imposed on a country. We will not avert our eyes from a regime that chants death to America and threatens genocide against the Jewish people. We must never ignore the vile poison of anti-semitism, or those who spread its venomous creed. With one voice, we must confront this hatred anywhere and everywhere it occurs.

Just months ago, 11 Jewish-Americans were viciously murdered in an anti-semitic attack on the tree of life synagogue in Pittsburgh. Swat officer timothy Matson raced into the gunfire and was shot seven times chasing down the killer. And he was very successful. Timothy has just had his 12th surgery and he is going in for many more, but he made the trip to be here with us tonight. Officer Matson, please.

Thank you. We are forever grateful. Thank you very much. Tonight, we are also joined by Pittsburgh survivor Judah Samet. He arrived at the synagogue as the massacre began. But not only did Judah narrowly escape death last fall — more than seven decades ago, he narrowly survived the Nazi concentration camps. Today is Judah’s 81st birthday....

A second holocaust survivor who is here tonight, Joshua Kaufman, was a prisoner at Dachau. He remembers watching through a hole in the wall of a cattle car as American soldiers rolled in with tanks. “to me,” Joshua recalls, “the American soldiers were proof that God exists, and they came down from the sky.” they came down from heaven. I began this evening by honoring three soldiers who fought on d-day in the second world war. One of them was Herman Zeitchik. But there is more to Herman’s story. A year after he stormed the beaches of Normandy, Herman was one of those American soldiers who helped liberate Dachau.

President Supports Bible Literacy Courses In Public Schools

As reported by Politico, Donald Trump today tweeted support for Bible literacy courses in public schools. Trump's tweet said:

Numerous states introducing Bible Literacy classes, giving students the option of studying the Bible. Starting to make a turn back? Great! 

Supreme Court Allows Trump Administration's Ban On Transgenders In Military To Take Effect

In Trump v. Karnoski (Docket No. 18A625) and Trump v. Stockman (Docket No. 18627), (Order List), the U.S. Supreme Court today granted stays of preliminary injunctions issued by district courts, thus allowing the Trump Administration's policy barring most transgender individuals from enlisting in the the military to go into effect while constitutionality of the policy is litigated in appeals to the 9th Circuit and eventually in petitions for certiorari to the Supreme Court. Justices Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor and Kagan would have allowed the district courts'injunction against implementing the policy to stand.   The Court also, without dissent, refused to grant certiorari before the Circuit Courts rule, in the same two cases, as well as in Trump v. Doe. (Docket Nos. 18-676 to 678). New York Times reports on the Supreme Court's action.