Washington, United States – A draft report issued by the “Commission on Religious Freedom,” a federal advisory body appointed by US President Donald Trump, has sparked a wave of sharp political and rights-based criticism. The draft calls for promoting what it termed “cooperation between politics and religion,” which observers view as an attempt to redefine American identity.
Draft Report Sparks Debate on American Identity
The report, issued on June 26, 2026, calls for a reinterpretation of the principle of the separation of church and state in a context that integrates religious institutions into the public sphere. Experts pointed out that these recommendations challenge Supreme Court precedents that prohibit the establishment of an official state religion.
The composition of the committee, consisting of conservative evangelical Christians, raised concerns that the sought-after “freedom” might be limited to a single group. Fears are growing that this trend aims to entrench the concept of a “Christian nation” at the expense of the historical religious diversity of American society.
Trump’s Electoral Strategy and Religious Nationalism
Political analysts link this report to President Trump’s electoral strategy ahead of the midterm elections in November. Trump seeks to appeal to his base of conservative Christians, especially in light of his declining popularity due to economic crises and the repercussions of the war in Iran.
In his recent speeches, Trump has used harsh language toward his political opponents, portraying the elections as a battle between “communism and freedom.” This trend has resonated in states like Texas, where legislation has begun to impose religious symbols in public schools within mandatory curricula.
Political and Rights-Based Divide Over Secularism
The report faced widespread rejection from civil organizations; Paul Raushenbush, president of Interfaith Alliance, described the approach as “narrow” and aimed at dividing society. He noted that the report ignored other challenges such as discrimination and religious bias in various contexts.
For her part, Melissa Deckman, president of the Public Religion Research Institute, warned that the mixing of religion and politics is moving toward unprecedented levels. The question remains regarding the constitutionality of these trends and their impact on social cohesion, amid ongoing religious events supported by the White House.
