DOJ Investigates MLB Over Religious Freedom Concerns

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has commenced an investigation into Major League Baseball (MLB) following warnings issued to players over the display of Bible verses on their hats. Kayleigh McEnany from Fox News reports on this matter, highlighting that under federal law, specifically Title VII, employers are required to accommodate religious beliefs reasonably. McEnany raises questions about MLB’s policies by referencing previous allowances for campaigns like ‘SOS Cuba’ and ‘BLM’ slogans worn by players without similar warnings.

Recently, the Trump administration directed federal agencies to give increased consideration to religious liberty in regulations, law enforcement, and accommodating employees’ religious beliefs. This directive marks the first significant update to DOJ guidance on religious issues since 2017. The new guidelines instruct executive agencies to align their policies with the First Amendment, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and recent Supreme Court decisions that have broadened religious exercise protections.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the guidance reflects almost a decade of new Supreme Court precedent, aiming to ensure federal agencies protect religious beliefs in employment, federal contracting, grants, rulemaking, and enforcement actions. The updated guidance mandates agencies to consider religious-liberty interests early in regulation crafting, to accommodate religious expression in the federal workplace when required by law, and to ensure religious organizations can compete equally for federal grants and contracts.

The guidance underscores constitutional protections for churches to govern internal matters and highlights Supreme Court rulings upholding parents’ rights to direct children’s religious upbringing. Kelly Shackelford, president and CEO of First Liberty Institute, commented on the updated guidance, emphasizing its role in safeguarding religious liberty across America.

The updated guidance will ensure that the federal government will respect the religious liberty rights of all Americans when implementing the President’s policies.

Shackelford expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for his commitment to protecting religious freedom. First Liberty Institute noted references in the guidance to two Supreme Court victories involving the organization: Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, which upheld a public school football coach’s postgame prayer rights, and Groff v. DeJoy, which determined that employers must provide religious accommodations unless they pose significant hardship.

The DOJ’s Office of Legal Policy will continue collaborating with federal agencies to review regulations and governmental actions for compliance with religious-liberty protections. The updated memo replaces guidance from Trump’s previous administration in 2017 and includes recent Supreme Court decisions that strengthen religious exercise protections. A DOJ spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for further comment regarding the updated guidance’s practical impact.