'Unshackling the pulpit' or 'a brazen attack'?: 7 reactions to IRS letting pastors endorse politicians

2. Freedom From Religion Foundation

Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Wisconsin-based organization that advocates for a strict separation between church and state, argues that the IRS' promise not to enforce the Johnson Amendment on houses of worship is discriminatory toward non-religious nonprofits. 

"This is not the repeal of the Johnson Amendment — this is the IRS choosing to ignore it when churches violate it," stated Gaylor in a statement. 

"If the IRS is saying that churches and only churches are being given a pass from the Johnson Amendment, this clearly discriminates against other similarly situated 501(c)(3) tax-exempt groups, such as FFRF."

"The law hasn't changed — but the will to enforce it has," added FFRF Co-President Dan Barker. "This decision is just the latest item checked off the Project 2025 wish list — the Christian nationalist plan to reshape the U.S. government."