Trump Names Dan Patrick to Head Faith Commission

President Donald Trump established a Religious Liberty Commission via executive order during a National Day of Prayer ceremony at the White House. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who proposed the commission, will serve as chair, with former HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson as vice-chair. The commission includes prominent figures such as Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Bishop Robert Barron, Pastor Paula White, and Dr. Phil McGraw, representing diverse faith communities. Its mission is to advise the White House on threats to religious freedom and recommend strategies to protect rights, focusing on parental rights in religious education, school choice, conscience protections, free speech for religious entities, institutional autonomy, and safeguarding houses of worship. The commission will deliver a comprehensive report and serve as an advisory body to the White House Faith Office and Domestic Policy Council. Trump stated the initiative aims to restore religion's role in American life and counter governmental attacks on faith communities.