Trump Vows to Allow Ministers Political Freedom in the Pulpit

Caitlin Burke
08-05-2016

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Donald Trump says that under his presidency, ministers will be able to speak freely about politics in the pulpit without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status.

At a rally in Jacksonville, Florida, the Republican presidential nominee pledged to eliminate the IRS ban on pulpit politics. 

"You have much to contribute to our politics, yet our laws prevent you from speaking your minds from your own pulpits," Trump said. "I am going to work very hard to repeal that language and protect free speech for all Americans." 

The ban was added to the IRS code back in 1954 when Lyndon Johnson was a senator. It muzzles churches and other tax-exempt organizations from supporting or opposing political candidates.

Trump calls the prohibition a violation of free speech.

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About The Author

Caitlin Burke Headshot
Caitlin
Burke

Caitlin Burke serves as National Security Correspondent and a general assignment reporter for CBN News. She has also hosted the CBN News original podcast, The Daily Rundown. Some of Caitlin’s recent stories have focused on the national security threat posed by China, America’s military strength, and vulnerabilities in the U.S. power grid. She joined CBN News in July 2010, and over the course of her career, she has had the opportunity to cover stories both domestically and abroad. Caitlin began her news career working as a production assistant in Richmond, Virginia, for the NBC affiliate WWBT
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