DOJ Investigates MLB Over Religious Liberty Concerns
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating Major League Baseball (MLB) after players received warnings for displaying Bible verses on their hats. Fox News’ Kayleigh McEnany highlights this issue, emphasizing that Title VII of federal law mandates employers accommodate religious beliefs reasonably. McEnany raises concerns over MLB’s different treatment, noting campaigns like ‘SOS Cuba’ and ‘BLM’ slogans that were previously tolerated without similar warnings.
On Thursday, the Trump administration instructed federal agencies to prioritize religious liberty while drafting regulations, enforcing laws, and accommodating employees’ religious beliefs. This marks the first significant update to DOJ guidance on this issue since 2017. The new instructions ensure compliance with the First Amendment, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as well as recent Supreme Court decisions enhancing religious exercise protections.
The updated guidance aims to safeguard religious Americans in areas like employment, federal contracts, and rule enforcement, according to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
The DOJ alleges an anti-Christian bias culture within federal agencies under the Biden administration. The guidance emphasizes considering religious-liberty concerns early during regulation development, ensuring accommodation in federal workplaces, and allowing religious organizations equal competition for grants and contracts.
This guidance also confirms constitutional protections for churches overseeing their own affairs and underlines Supreme Court rulings affirming parents’ rights to manage their children’s religious upbringing. Kelly Shackelford, president and CEO of First Liberty Institute, states the guidance assures governmental respect for religious freedoms in policy implementation.
President Donald Trump received appreciation for efforts to protect religious freedom, labeled as America’s first freedom. The guidance cites two Supreme Court cases, Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, supporting a coach’s right to postgame prayer, and Groff v. DeJoy, which dictates employers must provide religious accommodations unless faced with substantial hardship.
According to the DOJ, the Office of Legal Policy will continuously review federal agency actions for compliance with religious liberty protections. A DOJ spokesperson has not yet commented on how the updated guidance will affect practical matters.
Jasmine Baehr, writing for Fox News Digital, covers politics, military, life and family policy legal debates, and faith and culture topics.