The Trump administration has rolled out new federal guidance to protect religious expression among federal employees in the workplace.

According to the Catholic News Agency, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management on July 28 issued a directive to federal agencies outlining the rights of government workers to express their faith while respecting legal boundaries and workplace norms.

This newly issued guidance was sent to the heads of all federal departments and agencies. It aims to reaffirm the religious liberty rights of federal workers under the First Amendment and federal employment law.

Under the policy, employees are permitted to display religious items such as Bibles, crosses, religious jewelry, mezuzahs, or faith-related artwork in their workspaces. Individuals may also wear religious attire or accessories as part of their dress code.

The Trump administration emphasized that religious expression can be part of a normal workday so long as it does not interfere with official duties or workplace efficiency. The guidance allows federal workers to take part in religious activities while on break or when off duty.

Federal Employees Granted Freedom to Express Faith

Examples supported under the guideline include employees keeping a personal Bible at their desk, wearing a crucifix necklace, forming voluntary prayer groups, and organizing Bible studies. Federal workers can hold such gatherings in empty rooms during lunch or after hours, as long as participation is voluntary.

Religious discussions in the workplace are also allowed. Employees may engage in conversations that reflect their faith or encourage others to explore religious views, provided the dialogue does not become harassing or unwelcome.

The guidance stresses that if a coworker indicates they are not interested in religious dialogue, the conversation must stop. Employees can also invite others to prayer gatherings without fear of disciplinary action if colleagues decline to participate.

New Rules Apply in Public and Private Work Settings

Federal employees serving in public-facing roles are also covered by the guidelines. For example, a park ranger may join visitors in prayer, or a government-employed doctor may choose to pray with a patient, so long as participation is personal and does not reflect an official position or requirement.

According to the directive, religious expression must be treated equally whether it occurs in a public area or out of public view. The policy aims to neutralize any disparity in how faith-based communication is perceived compared to secular or personal communication.

Scott Kupor, director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, said the guidance ensures federal workers will not be forced to choose between their faith convictions and their government careers. He framed the policy as part of a broader effort to promote religious inclusion.

Trump Administration Cites Legal Protections

“This guidance ensures the federal workplace is not just compliant with the law but welcoming to Americans of all faiths,” Kupor said. He added that the administration intends to “restore constitutional freedoms” and foster a workplace environment in which people of faith are respected.

Legal advocates responded positively to the announcement. Michael Ross, counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, said no one should be required to “check their faith at the door” when arriving at work.

Ross praised the Trump administration for what he described as reaffirming religious freedom. “This is a critical step in restoring a workplace culture that respects and promotes religious freedom for every American,” he said.

Part of Broader Push on Religious Liberty

The Trump administration has made religious liberty a recurring theme in federal policy initiatives. This latest guidance follows previous efforts to ensure protections for individuals and organizations that hold religious convictions in various areas of public life.

The July 28 directive reinforces existing law rather than creating new statutes. It provides specific scenarios and language to clarify what is permissible in federal workplaces, aiming to prevent confusion or inconsistent enforcement across departments.

The move is expected to have a wide-reaching impact across the federal workforce, influencing how agency managers and front-line workers approach conversations and displays of personal belief in the office setting.