Public schools given fresh directive for religious freedom protection by Trump: 'Maintaining a great nation necessitates upholding religion'
In a significant move, President Donald Trump announced that the Department of Education will issue new guidance aimed at protecting prayer in public schools. The announcement was made at the White House Religious Liberty Commission's hearing, held at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.
Trump, during his speech, emphasized the importance of religion in shaping a great nation. He stated, "To have a great nation, you have to have religion." He also mentioned combating what he described as "anti-Christian bias" in public schools and accused them of "indoctrinating students with antireligious propaganda."
The event marked the commission's second public meeting. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner led a prayer at the event, and Trump exited the stage to a rendition of "Amazing Grace."
The details of the Department of Education's new guidance were not immediately clear. However, it is expected that the guidelines will be developed by a committee or working group that considers various interest groups and expertise. Potential groups involved in implementing these guidelines could include:
- Education Ministry or Education Administration: These institutions are responsible for the development and implementation of education policies.
- Expert Committees: Experts from fields such as education, law, and social sciences could come together in expert committees to develop such guidelines.
- Interfaith Dialogue Groups: These could also be involved to ensure that the guidelines are respectful and diverse.
Trump's second-term policy push includes supporting the "bringing back prayer to our schools," a promise made during his 2023 campaign. He also mentioned pushing back against perceived "wokeness" at the Smithsonian Institution and stated, "Big changes are being made at the Smithsonian."
The announcement comes after Trump issued revised guidance on prayer in schools in 2020. It is important to note that public schools have been barred from leading classroom prayers since a 1962 Supreme Court ruling, but students have retained the right to pray privately or in groups during free time. The Biden administration updated the rules in 2023 to emphasize that schools could take reasonable steps to ensure students weren't coerced into prayer.
Trump concluded his speech on an optimistic note, saying they are at the beginning of a golden age. The new guidelines, if implemented, could mark a significant shift in the way prayer is handled in public schools in the United States.
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