The Department of Justice, under President Trump, has initiated a federal lawsuit against the left-leaning leadership of Troy, Idaho, alleging that the city has been overtly discriminatory towards a Christian congregation simply seeking to practice their faith.
The case, titled United States v. City of Troy, sharply criticizes local officials for utilizing zoning regulations as a weapon to target Christ Church, an expanding evangelical community from the nearby city of Moscow, Idaho.
According to the DOJ, city authorities have engaged in flagrant discrimination, infringing upon the church’s right to gather while simultaneously permitting secular entities to thrive within the same zoning area.
Christ Church, bursting at the seams in its current Moscow location, sought to expand its reach into Troy.
The church attempted to lease a downtown building, previously a bank, to hold Sunday services—a pragmatic choice given its year-long vacancy and ample street parking.
However, after merely two services, the city attorney issued a cease-and-desist order, delivering a clear message: churches are unwelcome in downtown Troy.
In compliance with local regulations, the church applied for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), only to be met with an unyielding and hostile examination.
During the permit hearing, city officials opened the floodgates to anti-Christian sentiment, with opponents labeling Christ Church as “a hate group,” attacking its beliefs as “grotesque,” and fear-mongering about its potential to “destroy another Idaho town.”
These comments, steeped in religious bias, were subsequently cited by the council as justification for denying the church’s right to worship.
Under Troy’s zoning regulations, churches are relegated to second-class status, requiring a special conditional use permit to operate in the same downtown area where art galleries, community centers, libraries, and fraternal organizations can operate without any such bureaucratic hurdles.
The lawsuit highlights the irony that while bars, cinemas, and labor union offices are welcomed with open arms, Christ Church endured a rigorous permitting process, forced to defend its beliefs and confront public hostility merely to secure a former bank building for its Sunday gatherings.
According to a statement from the DOJ:
The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho, asserting that the City of Troy violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) by denying Christ Church’s Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application.
The lawsuit claims that Christ Church had outgrown its existing space and struggled to secure a new location. It sought a CUP to operate within the City’s C-1 zoning district, where non-religious assembly uses—such as clubs, museums, and auditoriums—are permitted. Local opposition to the Church’s CUP application was loud and clear, with many comments reflecting bias against Christ Church’s beliefs. The City’s denial cited the overwhelming public opposition as a reason for its decision.
“RLUIPA clearly prohibits local governments from making zoning decisions based on their aversion to specific religious groups,” stated Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. “We will not hesitate to pursue legal action against jurisdictions that discriminate in land use matters based on religious beliefs.”
The lawsuit contends that the City’s denial of the CUP imposed a significant burden on Christ Church and stemmed from community discrimination against the Church. It also alleges that the City’s zoning code treats religious assembly uses unfavorably compared to non-religious assembly uses. The complaint cites violations of RLUIPA’s provisions on substantial burden, equal treatment, and discrimination.
RLUIPA is a federal statute designed to protect individuals and religious institutions from excessively burdensome, inequitable, or discriminatory land use regulations. Additional information about RLUIPA and the DOJ’s initiatives can be found on the Place to Worship Initiative’s webpage.
As part of this initiative, the department has circulated a letter to leaders at the state, county, and municipal levels across the nation, reminding them of their responsibilities under RLUIPA, including the obligation to treat religious assemblies and institutions no less favorably than their non-religious counterparts.
