Top Justice Department officials and prominent religious leaders gathered in Washington to demand stronger protections for houses of worship, warning that escalating violence and polarization threaten Americans’ right to practice their faith in safety.

On August 27, faith leaders joined the U.S. Department of Justice and the Appeal of Conscience Foundation at a meeting in Washington, D.C., focused on countering attacks against religious communities and urging concrete action to defend religious liberty. The meeting included a panel discussion, a joint statement presented by participants, and calls for both tougher legislation and closer partnership with federal authorities.

The event was held at the Department of Justice headquarters on the first anniversary of the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, where two children were killed. The timing underscored the sense of urgency among attendees, who say that houses of worship have become targets in a climate of mounting hostility and violence directed at faith-based communities.

Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for civil rights, spoke for the administration, emphasizing that “No American should ever fear violence for simply practicing their faith.” She added, “The Department of Justiceʼs Civil Rights Division has zero tolerance for attacks on houses of worship, and we will continue to investigate and prosecute those who target Americans because of their religion.” Dhillon thanked the Appeal of Conscience Foundation and faith leaders for their partnership, calling the defense of religious liberty “a fundamental American value.”

The Appeal of Conscience Foundation, described as a coalition of business and religious leaders advocating for religious freedom, co-hosted the gathering. Executive vice president Karen Schneier Dresbach joined Dhillon and Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, apostolic nuncio to the United States, in urging action. The joint statement, read by Serbian Orthodox Bishop Irinej Dobrijevic and Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, called for stronger legislation, an ongoing body of religious leaders to monitor threats, and direct cooperation with the DOJ to keep people of faith safe during worship.

Religious leaders warn of growing threats and political polarization

Concerns about violence targeting religious communities are not new, but recent years have seen renewed attention from leaders across faith traditions. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) highlighted these worries in its 2026 religious liberty report, noting that “the Committee for Religious Liberty continues to be concerned about politically and religiously motivated violence.” The report warned that “the polarization that has long been the subject of commentary by religious leaders appears to be devolving into a cycle of attack and retribution.”

The bishops did not limit their critique to external threats, but also called attention to the dangers of political tribalism. As the USCCB put it, “Polarization is not simply a phenomenon ‘out there.’ It names a tendency within many people to turn away from truth in order to remain loyal to their political tribe. But Catholics are called to be conformed to Christ, not to partisan political leaders, media personalities, and social media influencers.”

Calls for action focused on the federal government’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program, run by FEMA, which funds security upgrades for houses of worship. The USCCB urged Congress to increase support for the program, pointing out that fewer than half of applicants currently receive grants. Religious leaders argue that faith communities should not be forced to choose between open doors and basic security, and that the government has a duty to help protect Americans’ right to worship without fear.

Justice Department faces pressure to move beyond words

While the Justice Department’s promises to investigate and prosecute anti-religious violence were welcomed, the faith community’s call for “stronger legislation” and more robust partnerships suggest that many see current efforts as falling short. The presence of prominent figures like Archbishop Caccia and leaders from Catholic, Orthodox, and other communities signals broad concern about both religious freedom and the climate of hostility facing houses of worship nationwide.

The DOJ’s high-profile meeting echoes a pattern seen in other contentious national debates, where official statements are often followed by calls for concrete policy action. As seen in high-profile political disputes over public institutions and executive actions, such as Trump’s intervention at the Smithsonian and the ongoing legal battles over mail-in voting orders, Americans are demanding not just words but results from leaders claiming to protect fundamental rights.

Yet, despite the repeated calls for action, the meeting left several open questions. The EWTN News report did not specify which additional faith groups participated, what exact legislation was proposed, or the full contents of the statement presented. Likewise, while the Nonprofit Security Grant Program was highlighted as a lifeline for communities under threat, details remain scarce on how program funding will be expanded or how many houses of worship have been left unprotected.

As with clashes over White House messaging and press access during controversial moments, for example, recent dustups involving the White House press corps, the demand from faith leaders for ongoing partnership and accountability signals that religious freedom remains a live-fire issue in the nation’s political and cultural battles.

Americans expect action, not just promises, to defend faith and freedom

The August 27 meeting at the DOJ placed the defense of religious liberty squarely on the national stage. While the Department’s civil rights division pledged “zero tolerance for attacks on houses of worship,” the challenge will be translating that promise into real-world protections for Americans who want nothing more than to practice their faith in peace.

Too often, elite institutions offer statements and panels when what the public wants are real safeguards against violence and intimidation. As the push for stronger protections continues, Americans will be watching to see whether leadership delivers more than words, and whether faith communities are finally given the security and respect they deserve.