Trump Administration Urges Federal Employees to Talk Religion at Work

The Trump administration has implemented sweeping new guidance urging federal employees to freely express their religious beliefs in the workplace. Announced on July 28, 2025, through a memorandum from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), these guidelines permit federal workers to display religious items, engage in prayer both individually and in groups, and openly discuss their faith—including efforts to persuade colleagues to adopt their beliefs—as long as such expressions are not deemed harassing123.

Key Points of the Policy

• Religious Items and Symbols: Employees are now explicitly allowed to display Bibles, crucifixes, mezuzahs, religious art, jewelry, and posters with religious messages at their workstations23.
• Prayer and Faith Discussions: Staff are permitted to gather for group prayers during off-duty hours, discuss matters of faith, and even invite coworkers to religious observances such as prayer sessions or services134.
• Evangelism and Proselytizing: The memo goes further than previous guidance by stating federal workers may attempt to “convince others of the validity of their personal religious beliefs” so long as it does not amount to harassment. Conversations and invitations must stop if a coworker indicates they are unwelcome125.
• No Fear of Reprisal: The administration asserts that these activities should not subject employees to disciplinary action, emphasizing that workers “should never have to choose between their faith and their career”3.
• Scope and Oversight: Agencies retain the authority to reasonably regulate the time, place, and manner of all employee speech—including religious speech—but cannot specifically target religious viewpoints for restrictions1.

Administration’s Motive and Broader Context

President Trump has identified religious liberty and freedom of expression as central themes of his administration. This move follows a broader push to counter what the White House identifies as anti-Christian bias in government and public spaces. The Faith Office, created by Trump in February 2025, played a role in developing the new OPM memo25.

Criticism and Concerns

Critics argue the directive risks blurring the constitutional line separating church and state, with some expressing concern it could favor Christianity over other faiths or create uncomfortable environments for non-religious employees and religious minorities45. Civil liberties groups warn it could open the door to more aggressive proselytizing in federal workplaces if not carefully monitored.

Examples of Permitted Actions

• A park ranger may invite a tour group to join her in prayer.
• A Veterans Affairs doctor may pray with or over a patient at the patient’s request.
• Employees may share religious literature, display prayer beads, and wear clothing with religious symbols or messages at work35.

Conclusion

The Trump administration’s new guidance fundamentally shifts the approach to religious expression in the federal government, portraying faith as welcome in the civil service rather than sidelined. The policy underscores the administration’s commitment to ensuring that government workplaces accommodate employees’ faith practices “to the greatest extent possible,” subject to limits ensuring that such expression is nonintrusive and nondisruptive13.

Sources:

1. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/07/28/federal-workers-religious-expression/
2. https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5423969-trump-memo-religious-expression/
3. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-admin-issues-new-guidance-protect-religious-expression-across-federal-workforce
4. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/28/us-memo-allows-federal-employees-to-evangelise-colleagues-at-work
5. https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-memo-religion-federal-workers-b2797681.html
6. https://x.com/washingtonpost/status/1949907813964116266
7. https://www.nbcpalmsprings.com/2025/07/28/trump-administration-expands-religious-expression-rights-for-federal-employees
8. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/federal-employees-pray-preach-workplace-220357497.html
9. https://wildhunt.org/2025/07/federal-memo-expands-religious-expression-in-the-workplace.html