A significant blow against religious intolerance was just struck after VA Secretary Doug Collins confirmed that Rev. Russell (Rusty) Trubey, an Army Reserve Chaplain, will not be punished for preaching from scripture after a woke bigot called the police on the minister during his sermon at the Coatesville VA Medical Center. Collins also promised that pastors nationwide would be free to preach as they see fit, a dramatic departure from Biden-era policies that put harsh restrictions in place.
For context, anti-Christian activists have long sought to bar chaplains from military hospitals and VA facilities, citing a so-called “separation of church and state.” For example, in 2024, Catholic priests were barred from a VA facility in Maryland and their duties were given to a secular contracting firm.
In any case, Trubey was represented by the conservative First Liberty Institute, which often represents Christians when their First Amendment rights have been violated. In a statement, they explained the situation in detail: “Trubey conducted a worship service in the chapel and preached a sermon from the first chapter of Romans. When Chaplain Trubey was cleaning up the chapel after the service ended, an onsite VA police officer approached him, alleging complaints made about his sermon from that day.”
Continuing their statement, the conservative legal group described the harsh punishment levied against the courageous preacher. They wrote, “Chaplain Trubey was removed from his duties as chaplain, investigated for several months, and threatened with a mark on his permanent record. While the Coatesville facility rescinded this proposed reprimand, his supervisor attempted to implement an unconstitutional sermon review process and change the Chaplain SOP and Performance Plan to limit the topics on which chaplains could preach.”
However, in a February 26, 2025, letter, the VA Secretary put the issue to bed. Collins said, “It is undisputed and well-settled law that constitutional law and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act protects statements made by all VA Chaplains while delivering sermons in accordance with their ecclesiastical endorsers. Chaplain Trubey’s June 23, 2024, sermon covered by those protections.”
Building on that point, Collins reassured Trubey that he would be protected from harassment. The letter stated, “The VA is committed to providing training to all Chaplains and health care system leaders in VA regarding these legal protections. VA is committed to preventing any future misapplication of the law.”
Continuing his vigorous defence of religious liberty, the VA secretary said that the Letter of Repremand had been unconditionally rescinded. He added, “Further, VA confirms that there is no national or local policy or standard operating procedure which inhibits Chaplain sermons. To the extent that there have been any proposed changes to any existing policy, those proposals will not move forward and have been rescinded.”
Concluding his document, Doug Collins gave a ringing endorsement of religious liberty. He said, ” There will be no further action on these policies. VA reiterates its commitment to upholding and enforcing the constitutional and statutory protections afforded to Chaplains when providing spiritual guidance in the performance of their duties and responsibilities. VA will take all steps necessary to avoid any future inconsistent actions. It is my hope that these measures adequately resolve the matter.”
Watch Doug Collins here: