President Donald Trump Names Advisory Board Members to the Religious Liberty Commission – The White House

In a move that might make one wonder if the White House is doubling as a seminary, President Donald Trump has appointed a diverse group of individuals to the advisory boards of the newly minted Religious Liberty Commission. Established via an Executive Order on May 1^st, this initiative aims to safeguard the religious freedoms of Americans. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is at the helm as chair, with Dr. Ben Carson stepping in as vice chair, alongside an additional eleven commission members. Today’s announcement reveals the individuals selected for the three advisory boards, which comprise religious leaders, legal experts, and everyday advisors.

Advisory Board of Religious Leaders

1. Bishop Salvatore Cordileone. The Archbishop of San Francisco, Cordileone’s resume boasts membership in key committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) focusing on laity, family life, and church governance.
2. Pastor Jentezen Franklin. As the Senior Pastor of Free Chapel, a multi-campus church in Gainesville, Georgia, Franklin has authored several books, including the popular Fasting: Opening the Door to a Deeper, More Intimate, More Powerful Relationship with God.

1. Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. The eighth Archbishop of America since the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese was established in 1922, Elpidophoros has long championed religious freedom on international platforms.

1. Father Thomas Ferguson. Serving as the pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Alexandria, Virginia, Father Ferguson is also an author, with his notable work being Catholic and American: The Political Theology of John Courtney Murray.

1. Rabbi Mark Gottlieb. Currently the Chief Education Officer of Tikvah, Rabbi Gottlieb has a rich history in Jewish education and is actively involved in various Jewish scholarly endeavors.
2. Pastor Jack Graham. A prominent figure at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas, Graham has authored several books and previously held the position of Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer.
3. Rabbi Yaakov Menken. The Executive Vice President of the Coalition for Jewish Values, Menken is a seasoned commentator on Orthodox Jewish thought and has co-founded a notable online journal.
4. Bishop Thomas Paprocki. Known for initiating the “Fortnight for Freedom” campaign, Paprocki has a dual passion for marathon running and religious advocacy, having authored a book on the interplay of physical and spiritual pursuits.
5. Bishop Kevin Rhoades. As the Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Rhoades leads the USCCB Committee on Religious Liberty and has participated in various committees tackling pressing social issues.
6. Rabbi Eitan Webb. Co-founder of the Chabad House of Princeton, Rabbi Webb has dedicated significant time to serving students and promoting Jewish education across universities.
7. Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel. As the Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel of America, Zwiebel played a pivotal role in organizing a landmark gathering of Orthodox Jews in the U.S. in 2020.

Advisory Board of Legal Experts

1. Francis Beckwith. A distinguished professor at Baylor University, Beckwith specializes in philosophy and church-state studies, with over 100 academic publications to his name.
2. Jason Bedrick. As a Research Fellow at The Heritage Foundation, Bedrick advocates for educational freedom and is a co-author of significant works on religious liberty in education.
3. Josh Blackman. A prominent constitutional law scholar, Blackman has earned recognition as a thought leader in legal education and serves as a professor at South Texas College of Law Houston.
4. Gerald Bradley. Teaching Legal Ethics and Constitutional Law at Notre Dame, Bradley has contributed significantly to legal philosophy and directed the Natural Law Institute.
5. Alyza Lewin. President of The Louis D. Brandeis Center, Lewin is a seasoned litigator with expertise in civil rights and anti-discrimination law.
6. Kristen Waggoner. At the helm of Alliance Defending Freedom, Waggoner leads a significant legal organization dedicated to defending religious rights and freedoms.

Advisory Board of Lay Leaders

1. Abigail Robertson Allen. A seasoned reporter, Allen co-hosts a podcast that highlights miraculous events and divine experiences.
2. Gene Bailey. A host on The Victory Channel, Bailey engages audiences with discussions around faith and current events.
3. Mark David Hall. A professor at Regent University, Hall specializes in early American political thought and has authored multiple works examining the intersection of faith and governance.
4. Alveda King. Continuing her family’s legacy in civil rights, Dr. King is active in promoting the American Dream and advocating for life issues.
5. Christopher Levenick. As director of the Program for Civic Renewal, Levenick has explored the role of religion in American society throughout his writing career.
6. Sameerah Munshi. An outspoken advocate against radical gender ideology in schools, Munshi has made headlines for her testimony before the Montgomery County School Board.
7. Ismail Royer. Director of the Islam and Religious Freedom Action Team, Royer has worked on interfaith initiatives and has published extensively on religion and conflict.
8. Ryan Tucker. Serving as senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, Tucker focuses on protecting the First Amendment rights of religious organizations.
9. Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. A leading Islamic scholar and co-founder of Zaytuna College, Yusuf has been influential in promoting classical Islamic education.