ADF Clients, Attorneys, Testify at White House’s Religious Liberty Commission

The ability to express one’s faith is a core American freedom enshrined in our First Amendment. Yet, in education and public schools, expressions of faith have often been restricted, censored, or punished. From blocking pro-life clubs to censoring campus evangelism, students and parents across the country have faced policies and practices targeting religious freedom. Many, sadly, still are.

But a new commission created by the Trump administration is seeking to directly address religious freedom issues like those currently present in the education system.. And Alliance Defending Freedom has been blessed to be given the opportunity to speak into the commission’s findings.

Over the course of these hearings, numerous ADF clients and attorneys have testified before the commission. Their testimonies highlight how everyday acts of faith can become flashpoints in schools and universities, and why protecting these rights remains essential.

What is the White House’s Religious Liberty Commission?

On May 1, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order establishing the Religious Liberty Commission. The commission’s purpose is to “advise the White House Faith Office and the Domestic Policy Council on religious liberty policies of the United States, including by recommending steps to secure domestic religious liberty and identifying opportunities to further the cause of religious liberty around the world.”

President Trump has rightly recognized that the religious liberty of Christians and other people of faith has repeatedly been violated. Thus, he is seeking to “ensure Americans can freely practice their faith without government interference.”

On May 16, the President created an advisory board for this committee. ADF President, CEO, and Chief Counsel Kristen Waggoner was honored to be appointed to the Advisory Board of Legal Experts, while ADF Senior Counsel Ryan Tucker serves on the Advisory Board of Lay Leaders.

At the commission’s first meeting in June, Kristen spoke about the importance of protecting free speech, religious freedom, and objective truth.

Second Hearing: Five ADF Clients Recount How Their Religious Freedom Was Violated

On September 8, the commission held its second hearing. Five ADF clients (Lydia Booth, Jennifer Mead, Maggie DeJong, Chike Uzuegbunam, and Norvilia Etienne Cain) shared their experiences of how their religious freedom had been violated and why government policies must respect and uphold the right to live out one’s faith.

ADF Senior Counsel and Vice President of U.S. Litigation David Cortman also explained how religious freedom and parental rights are under attack in American public schools, highlighting ADF clients like Brian Hickman, Sarah and Terry Osborn, Jennifer Vitsaxaki, and Joe and Serena Wailes, among others

Lydia Booth

During the COVID-19 pandemic, third-grader Lydia Booth wore a mask to school that read “Jesus Loves Me” in bright pink letters. Despite other students wearing masks expressing messages with words and logos, including “Black Lives Matter,” school officials forced her to remove her mask. Represented by ADF, Lydia’s family challenged the school’s actions and secured a settlement affirming her First Amendment rights. Now in 8th grade, Lydia says, “Through it all, I learned something I’ll never forget: You’re never too young for your voice to matter.”

Jennifer Mead

Dan and Jennifer Mead discovered that their daughter’s school district had implemented a secret “social transition” policy, treating their 8^th-grade daughter as a boy without informing them. The school had been doing this for months until the Meads were accidentally sent a partially-altered document about their daughter referring to her by a masculine name and male pronouns. The district policy directly conflicted with the Meads’ religious beliefs and undermined their rights as parents to direct the upbringing, education, and healthcare of their child. The Meads filed a lawsuit to protect their parental rights, religious freedom, and ultimately their daughter—as well as others like her.

Maggie Dejong

Maggie DeJong, a graduate student in the art therapy program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, faced disciplinary action simply for expressing her Christian views during class discussions and on social media. After several classmates complained that her beliefs were offensive, the university issued no-contact orders against her, effectively silencing her. Worse still, the university threatened “disciplinary consequences” if Maggie violated the orders. With ADF’s help, Maggie secured a favorable settlement in which SIUE revised its policies, paid damages and attorney’s fees, and required some professors to participate in First Amendment training.

Chike Uzuegbunam

Chike Uzuegbunam, a student at Georgia Gwinnett College, was stopped from sharing his Christian faith on campus—even after reserving space in the school’s designated “free speech zone.” When he tried to hand out pamphlets and share his faith in Jesus, campus officials ordered him to stop, threatening disciplinary action if he continued. With ADF’s help, Chike filed a lawsuit, determined to stand up for his First Amendment rights. The college then revised its policies and sought to dismiss the lawsuit to try to avoid accountability for violating Chike’s constitutional rights. His case reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled 8–1 in his favor, setting a nationwide precedent that protects students’ rights to free speech and religious expression.

Norvilia Etienne Cain

In 2017, Norvilia Etienne Cain was a student at Queens College in New York who wanted to establish a Students for Life club on her campus. Despite following all the required steps, the college denied her request, blocking both the club’s registration and the opportunity to receive funding like other student groups. During the registration process, college officials had expressed clear bias against the formation of her club, and the college’s policy gave unchecked power to deny certain student groups based solely on their viewpoint. After an ADF lawsuit, the college agreed to revise its policies and recognize the Students for Life chapter.

Third Hearing: The Importance of Religious Liberty to Religious Schools, Parents and Families

On September 29, the commission held its third hearing, where ADF Client Monica Gill and Vice President of Appellate Advocacy John Bursch spoke on religious liberty and the importance of being able to live out religious truths in society.

John Bursch shared how religious schools like The Lyceum, Darren Patterson Christian Academy, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, and others have had their religious liberty threatened when laws jeopardized their ability to hire employees who share their religious beliefs and mission.

John concluded, “Religious liberty should not be a partisan issue. It’s a matter of human dignity, family rights, and national flourishing. Our nation will continue to benefit from generations of young people formed in both in knowledge and virtue if faith-based schools are protected to live out their missions and families are free to choose them.”

Monica Gill

Monica Gill has been a high school government teacher for over thirty years, twenty-one of them in Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia. One of her aims in the classroom was to equip young people “not just with facts but with truth; not just for tests but for life. Because if we can root the next generation in truth, we can help them live full and flourishing lives.”

However, in 2021, Monica’s school district instituted a policy that undermined that very mission by forcing teachers to address “gender-expansive or transgender students” in a manner inconsistent with their biological sex. Such a policy would have compelled teachers like Monica to lie to students and embrace an ideology that ultimately could harm them. Thankfully, after achieving victories on behalf of ADF client Peter Vlaming, the Loudoun County Circuit Court officially recognized that the school board no longer interprets its policy to force teachers to violate their religious beliefs by using names and pronouns inconsistent with a student’s sex.

Why these stories matter

The Religious Liberty Commission’s hearings underscore a simple truth: when religious liberty is denied, every American suffers. The courage shown by ADF’s many clients reminds us of what’s at stake if the government is allowed to silence people of faith.

As these hearings continue, ADF will continue defending every person’s God-given right to live and speak the truth. Together, we can help keep the First Amendment strong for the next generation and beyond.