Charlotte Faith Leaders Challenge Trump's Workplace Religious Expression Policy

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Charlotte Faith Leaders Challenge Trump Administration's Workplace Religious Expression Policy

Local religious communities express concern over new federal guidelines permitting proselytization in government offices.

The Trump administration has introduced new guidelines allowing federal employees to discuss and promote their religious beliefs in the workplace, citing protections under the U.S. Constitution.

According to the Office of Personnel Management, agency employees may seek to "persuade others of the correctness of their religious views" during office hours.

Supervisors are also permitted to recruit employees to their religion, provided such efforts are not "harassing in nature."

In Charlotte, faith leaders have voiced concerns about the implications of these policies.

Rev. Dr. J. Elvin Sadler, general secretary-auditor of The AME Zion Church, criticized the administration's approach, stating, "We are called to call out wolves in sheep’s clothing, and that is what we have been called to do in this campaign."

Similarly, Rev. David Ortigoza, associate pastor at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, expressed apprehension, noting that such policies could lead to workplace tensions and potential discrimination.

Local religious organizations have previously taken legal action against the administration's policies.

In February 2025, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church joined a lawsuit challenging the revocation of protections that prevented immigration enforcement actions in places of worship.

The lawsuit argued that rescinding these protections infringed upon the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the First Amendment, as it burdened vulnerable congregation members' exercise of religion.

Faith leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining sacred spaces free from governmental intrusion.

Aimee Yeager, communications director with the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, highlighted the role of churches in providing essential services and fostering community.

As the administration's new workplace religious expression policy takes effect, Charlotte's religious communities continue to advocate for the protection of religious freedoms and the separation of church and state.