(Washington, D.C., August 5, 2025) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, at Faith and Fellowship Tuesday at the Great American Farmers Market, alongside Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, and USDA Senior Advisor on Faith and Community Outreach Dr. Alveda King, issued a statement reaffirming the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) steadfast commitment to protecting and upholding religious liberties in all public engagements and federally administered programs.
“Religious freedom is America’s first protected liberty. USDA, founded on the promise to serve Americans equally, will vigorously defend the rights of individuals and organizations to express their faith in accordance with the Constitution of the United States,” said Secretary Rollins. “President Trump made it clear religious liberty is not just a personal right; it’s a national priority. By Executive Order, the President established the Religious Liberty Commission to ensure faith-based expression is protected across our Nation. At USDA, we recognize the Constitution protects religious liberties beyond private beliefs and ensures Americans are free to live out their faith in the public square and their workplaces, and when participating in USDA programs, without fear of retaliation or discrimination.”
The updated USDA guidance (PDF, 1.8 MB) reaffirms long-standing constitutional protections and aligns with recent Supreme Court decisions that clarify the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious liberty consistent with President Trump’s directive to enforce the original constitutional meaning of religious liberty. The statement outlines the Department’s responsibility to safeguard religious expression for individuals, employees, and faith-based organizations who participate in USDA programs.
Key provisions include:
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Employee Religious Expression: Employees and supervisors in private workplaces are permitted to engage in religious expression, including discussing religious views and displaying religious materials.
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Faith-Based Organizations: Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) may participate in USDA programs, such as nutrition assistance, employment training, and food distribution, on equal footing with secular organizations. USDA may not require FBOs to alter their religious identity, messaging, or practices as a condition of participation.
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No Discrimination or Coercion: USDA is prohibited from coercing individuals or organizations to adopt specific beliefs or to prevent their participation in federally funded programs based on religious identity.
The guidance issued today supersedes any prior non-legally binding USDA guidance to the contrary and ensures consistent implementation of religious liberty protections across all mission areas in their engagements with the public.
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