In a major win for conservative Christians, President Trump has appointed two evangelical pastors to his newly founded Religious Liberty Commission, a group of faith leaders who will advise the Trump Administration on issues related to the preservation of religious freedom in the United States, which the president launched on May 1, 2025.
For context, on May 21, 2025, press accounts confirmed that President Trump had selected Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, and Pastor Jentezen Franklin of Gainesville, Georgia’s Free Chapel as the newest appointees to the advisory board of the Religious Liberty Commission, which also includes Dr. Ben Carson, Paula White-Cain, Bishop Robert Barron, and several other prominent faith leaders.
In response to the news, Jack Graham’s church, Prestonwood Baptist, congratulated the pastor on Instagram, saying, “Congratulation (sic) to Senior Pastor Jack Graham on being named to the advisory board of the Religious Liberty Commission by President Trump.” They added, “His bold voice for truth and unwavering commitment to the Gospel continue to shine as a light in our nation.”
Concluding the announcement, the Prestonwood account shared a Bible verse that points to the need for America to put its faith in God, saying, “As Scripture says, ‘Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord’ (Psalm 33:12).” They concluded by adding a blessing for Pastor Graham’s new position, saying, “May his leadership help strengthen the Church and defend the freedom to live out our faith with conviction and courage.”
The announcement came less than a month after President Trump signed an executive order establishing the Religious Liberty Commission on May 1, 2025. In the executive order, the president declared that the Executive Branch would “vigorously enforce the historic and robust protections for religious liberty enshrined in Federal law.” He added, “The Founders envisioned a Nation in which religious voices and views are integral to a vibrant public square and human flourishing and in which religious people and institutions are free to practice their faith without fear of discrimination or hostility from the Government.”
Continuing, President Trump provided further background for the establishment of the new commission, tracing it back to the earliest days of the American colonies. He wrote, “The roots of religious liberty stretch back to the early settlers who fled religious persecution in Europe, seeking a new world where they could choose, follow, and practice their faith without interference from the Government.”
Moving on, the president stressed the importance of religious liberty as a key factor in American history, writing, “The principle of religious liberty was enshrined in American law with the First Amendment to the Constitution in 1791.” He added, “Since that time, the Constitution has protected the fundamental right to religious liberty as Americans’ first freedom.”
In addition to Pastors Franklin and Graham, the Religious Liberty Commission includes faith leaders from multiple backgrounds and denominations, including several Rabbis. The commission is chaired by Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, an outspoken Christian who, after being appointed chair, said in a press release, “I thank President Trump for his steadfast commitment to ensuring our nation returns to our founding principles of faith and religious liberty.”
Featured image credit: Prestonwood Baptist Church via Instagram/Jentezen Franklin via Instagram