Christian Nationalists and Trump Admin Move to Dismantle Church Political Donation Ban

A coalition of Christian nationalist groups is close to achieving a long-sought goal. They are working with the Trump administration to effectively nullify a federal law that prevents tax-exempt churches from donating to political campaigns. A federal court is now reviewing a proposed settlement that would declare the law, known as the Johnson Amendment, unconstitutional.This move could fundamentally alter the landscape of American political financing. It would allow churches to function as unregulated political spending entities.

The Johnson Amendment’s Core Purpose and Popular Support

The Johnson Amendment is a simple rule. It states that charitable organizations, including churches, cannot endorse or oppose political candidates if they want to keep their tax-exempt status. This ensures that taxpayer-subsidized donations fund charitable work, not partisan politics.According to Reuters, the rule is widely supported by the American public. Polling from evangelical research group Lifeway shows about 80% of Americans oppose church-based political endorsements. Thousands of faith leaders and nonprofits have publicly defended the amendment.

The Potential Impact on Elections and Democracy

Overturning this rule could unleash a flood of dark money into the political system. Unlike other charities, churches are not required to publicly disclose their finances. This creates a significant transparency issue.A donor could give unlimited funds to a church specifically for political campaigning. That donation would be tax-deductible, and the spending would be entirely hidden from public view. This would create a system of unaccountable political power.The result would be more influential than the Citizens United decision. It would allow churches to become super-PACs without any of the financial reporting requirements.

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The push to dismantle the Johnson Amendment represents a pivotal moment for money in politics. If this settlement is approved, it would grant a specific political faction a powerful and opaque financial advantage, reshaping American elections for years to come.

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What is the Johnson Amendment?

The Johnson Amendment is a 1954 provision in the U.S. tax code. It prohibits all 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, including churches, from directly endorsing or opposing political candidates. This helps maintain the separation of charity and partisan politics.

Why do some groups want to repeal it?

Groups like the Alliance Defending Freedom argue the rule violates religious freedom and free speech. They believe religious leaders should be able to speak freely about political candidates from the pulpit without jeopardizing their church’s tax status.

Could churches become like Super PACs?

Yes, that is a primary concern. Without the Johnson Amendment, churches could funnel unlimited, anonymous donations into political campaigns. Their exemption from standard financial disclosure rules makes this a unique threat to electoral transparency.

What was the public reaction to this effort?

Public reaction has been largely opposed to repeal. Broad majorities of Americans, including religious communities, support keeping the Johnson Amendment in place to prevent politicization of charitable organizations.

What happens if the settlement is approved?

If the court approves the settlement, the IRS would be barred from enforcing the Johnson Amendment against the two churches in the lawsuit. This would set a legal precedent, encouraging other organizations to challenge the rule and effectively nullify it nationwide.