Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed FOIA lawsuits over federal prayer services at the Defense and Labor departments. It sued the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Labor on March 23. The legal actions seek records of monthly prayer gatherings held within both agencies. Americans United links the requests to President Donald Trump’s “Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias” executive order, and it says the policy drives the new activity.
Records Sought and Alleged Withholding
The lawsuits argue the departments illegally withheld documents required under the Freedom of Information Act. Americans United wants planning materials and internal communications about the events. It also seeks messages involving employees, contractors, and other agencies. The group asked for cost details, and it wants estimates of staff time spent on the gatherings. Americans United says neither department answered the substantive FOIA requests. The filings in U.S. District Court in Washington name Americans United for Separation of Church and State v. U.S. Department of Defense and a parallel case against Labor.
How the Prayer Meetings Took Shape
The Pentagon meetings began after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth launched the “Secretary’s Christian Prayer and Worship Service” last May. He opened a Pentagon auditorium session with prayer, and he urged the nation to kneel in recognition of Jesus Christ. The event aired on internal television. Hegseth’s pastor, Brooks Potteiger, led preaching and later drew attention for a prayer targeting Texas Democrat James Talarico. As months passed, employees received invitations marked with a cross, and guest speakers included Franklin Graham. Christian nationalist Doug Wilson also preached. Wilson co-founded Hegseth’s denomination.
Supporters and Detractors Raise Stakes
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer announced a similar service in December after citing Hegseth’s example. An Orthodox Jewish rabbi appeared, but he condemned abortion and LGBTQ people. Americans United President Rachel Laser said the government should serve the public, not proselytize. She argued officials used taxpayer-funded resources to impose religion at work, and she warned employees may feel pressure to attend. Americans United released a religious freedom “Know Your Rights” guide to help workers navigate what it calls a push toward Christian nationalism. Supporters of the meetings may frame them as voluntary expressions of faith and morale, but detractors fear coercion, unequal treatment, and blurred church-state lines.
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AU sues for information on Pentagon and Labor prayer meetings
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