The Trump administration has issued new guidelines affirming that federal employees are free to discuss and promote their religious beliefs in the workplace, as long as such expression does not amount to harassment. The announcement was made in a memo by Scott Kupor, Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), reinforcing religious freedoms under the First Amendment and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Kupor stated that federal employees, including supervisors, may attempt to persuade others of their religious views at work, provided their actions are not coercive or disruptive. The memo emphasized that agencies cannot punish workers for declining to engage in religious discussions with coworkers.
This policy shift marks a continuation of the Trump administration’s broader effort to elevate religious expression within federal institutions. In February, President Trump signed an executive order urging federal agencies to identify and eliminate what he described as the “anti-Christian weaponization of government.” The order directs cabinet secretaries to root out federal policies perceived to be hostile to Christian beliefs.
Further bolstering religious accommodation, OPM recently allowed federal employees to adjust work schedules or work remotely to accommodate religious practices, such as daily prayers. Kupor’s latest memo also supports the formation of prayer groups during non-working hours and the display of religious symbols at individual workstations.
Legal precedent permits religious expression in the workplace so long as it doesn’t interfere with operations or impose an undue burden on others. The Constitution prohibits government favoritism toward any religion, but it does protect individuals’ rights to practice their faith.
The administration’s stance aligns with the concerns of many conservative Christian groups who argue that religious liberty in government workplaces has been under threat. Critics, however, have raised concerns that the policy could blur the lines between personal religious freedom and inappropriate proselytization, especially in hierarchical work environments.
As the guidelines take effect, federal agencies will be tasked with balancing the right to religious expression with the need to maintain professional, inclusive workplaces. This development is likely to prompt further legal scrutiny and debate over the appropriate role of religion in government settings.
