CLEVELAND, Ohio — President Donald Trump has floated the idea of repealing a federal rule that prohibits churches and nonprofits, which receive tax breaks, from endorsing political candidates.
The president proffered the idea of abolishing the Johnson Amendment when campaigning last year and again stated his intentions when speaking to religious leaders at the National Prayer Breakfast earlier this month. Using his typical hyperbole, he said he would “totally destroy” the amendment.
If he repealed the rule, churches and nonprofits that currently risk losing their tax-exempt status would be allowed to publicly endorse candidates who support their positions.
Trump’s pledge is a nod to his evangelical Christian supporters, who helped power his White House win. So far he has not detailed his plans for doing away with the rule, which he has previously promised to rescind. Named after then-Sen. Lyndon Johnson, the regulation has been in place since 1954 for tax-exempt charities, including churches, though it is very rare for a church to actually be penalized.
Abolishing the amendment would require action by Congress, though Trump could direct the IRS to disregard the rule. The tax code does allow a wide range of political activity by houses of worship, including speaking out on social issues and organizing congregants to vote. But churches cannot endorse a candidate or engage in partisan advocacy.
Despite support from some in the religious community, many are against changing the rule, saying it would open the door for even more unregulated money to flow into political campaigns.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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