Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Over Trump Religious Liberty Commission’s Makeup
A federal judge in New York has dismissed a lawsuit filed by an interfaith group that challenged the ideological balance of President Trump's Religious Liberty Commission. The plaintiffs argued that the commission's overwhelmingly conservative Christian makeup lacked required viewpoint diversity.…
Denver, CO, July 28, 2026 —
A federal judge in New York has dismissed a lawsuit brought forth by an interfaith group challenging the ideological balance of President Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission. The plaintiffs had contended that the commission’s composition, which they described as overwhelmingly conservative Christian, failed to meet requirements for viewpoint diversity.
In the ruling, the judge stated that the relevant law does not mandate specific methods for achieving balance within the commission. Furthermore, the judge affirmed that President Trump possesses broad discretion in appointing commission members. The court also acknowledged diversity within the commission in other capacities, including a mix of clergy and lay roles, and representation from at least five different religions.
The lawsuit had focused on the argument that the commission’s makeup did not adequately reflect a range of viewpoints. However, the judge’s decision centered on the legal interpretation of balance requirements and the executive branch’s authority in appointments. The dismissal means the legal challenge to the commission’s structure on these grounds has been unsuccessful.
Story summarized from the original created by AP via Scripps News Group on www.denver7.com, see more information here.
