Trump Vows To Repeal Political Limits On Churches

President Donald Trump vows to overturn a law that restricts political speech by tax-exempt churches. The 1954 law called the Johnson Amendment prohibits churches from endorsing or opposing political candidates and failure to abide would risk losing their tax-exempt status.

The law is named after its author, former senator Lyndon Johnson. Since the Johnson Amendment is part and parcel in the tax code, any repeal would require approval from Congress. Many Democrats and even some Republicans already resist the idea as this could mean an erosion of the separation of church and state, according to the New York Times. Still, Trump is adamant in fulfilling his promise to the churches and Christian supporters who helped power his White House win.

It has been the goal of many conservatives to eliminate the law because it puts a limit on their religious activities at work. Many complain that the Internal Revenue Service singles out churches dominated by Christian conservatives. Trump addressed the issue during the National Prayer Breakfast saying that freedom of religion is a sacred right and vows to "totally destroy the Johnson Amendment and allow our representatives of faith to speak freely and without fear of retribution," he told the religious leaders.

"Americans don't need a federal tax agency to be the speech police of churches," said Erik Stanley, a member of a Christian legal defense group that has opposed the Johnson Amendment. Leaders from different conservative groups praised Trump's pledge calling it outstanding and right on target. However, the president's statement also left criticisms from campaign watchdogs and citizens alike. According to them, uplifting the ban would open an avenue for unlimited and anonymous money in elections, as reported by USA Today.

Clergymen also noted that lifting the prohibition could entail partisan divisions as the law has given them a way to avoid political pressure for an endorsement. In a survey conducted last September, 80 percent Americans said it was inappropriate for pastors to endorse candidates in church and 75 percent said churches should not make endorsements. Seeing how Trump has a knack for going head on with things as he decides, the chances of the law being repealed is high and people can only wait for the Congress as nothing has been decided further.