Quick Hit:

Federal employees will now have strengthened protections for religious expression under new guidance issued Monday by the Office of Personnel Management. The sweeping memo ensures that workers can freely express their faith—including displaying religious items, praying during breaks, and speaking about their beliefs—without fear of punishment or workplace discrimination.

Key Details:

• OPM Director Scott Kupor sent a government-wide memo titled "Protecting Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace", outlining the new federal policy.
• The guidance permits federal workers to display Bibles, crosses, mezuzahs, or other faith symbols on their desks; pray or read religious texts during breaks; and speak about their religious beliefs to colleagues or the public—provided they respect others' boundaries.
• The directive follows President Trump's executive orders on religious liberty and is part of a broader push to root out anti-Christian bias in the federal government and reaffirm constitutional freedoms.

Diving Deeper:

In one of the most significant moves to safeguard religious liberty in decades, the Trump administration on Monday directed all federal agencies to uphold and enforce broad protections for religious expression in the workplace. The directive came in a memo from Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor.

“Federal employees should never have to choose between their faith and their career,” Kupor told Fox News. “This guidance ensures the federal workplace is not just compliant with the law but welcoming to Americans of all faiths.”

The guidance, titled "Protecting Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace", emphasizes that expressions of religious faith are protected under the First Amendment as well as federal law, including Title VII. Kupor added that the memo builds upon earlier Trump administration efforts to protect religious liberty, including executive orders establishing a Religious Liberty Commission.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, we are restoring constitutional freedoms and making government a place where people of faith are respected, not sidelined,” Kupor added.

The memo directs agencies to review and, if necessary, revise their policies to ensure compliance. Agencies are expected to “allow personal religious expression by Federal employees to the greatest extent possible,” unless it causes undue hardship to operations.

Kupor provided several examples of permitted religious expression:

• Employees can keep and read Bibles, rosary beads, or tefillin at their desks and use them during break times.
• Religious clothing and accessories—like crosses or items bearing faith-based messages—are allowed.
• Conversations about religion are permitted during breaks, including invitations to attend church services or respectful discussion about differing beliefs.

Kupor noted that discussions must remain respectful, and if a colleague requests to end a religious conversation, that request must be honored.

The memo even addresses religious expression toward the public, including examples like a national park ranger joining a tour group in prayer or a VA hospital doctor praying with a patient.

“This memorandum provides guidance to agencies on robustly protecting and enforcing each Federal employee's right to engage in religious expression in the Federal workplace,” the memo states.

The new policy stems from a broader initiative to align federal practices with traditional American values and ensure people of faith are empowered rather than excluded in government settings. The Religious Liberty Commission—operating within the Domestic Policy Council—continues to consult faith leaders to shape policy rooted in freedom, faith, and family.

Monday’s announcement reinforces President Trump’s commitment to protecting the rights of believers within the federal workforce and ensuring their freedom of religion is not left at the door when they report to work.