'Unshackling the pulpit' or 'a brazen attack'?: 7 reactions to IRS letting pastors endorse politicians
6. First Liberty Institute
Kelly Shackelford, the president and chief counsel for the First Liberty Institute, hailed the IRS' decision as "great news for religious organizations, churches, and religious liberty."
In a statement, he cited past successes by his organization in challenging the amendment.
"First Amendment rights don't end when a pastor, church member, or even a political candidate steps on the platform of a church. The IRS weaponized the Johnson Amendment to silence churches and pastors for decades," Shackelford said.
"First Liberty Institute successfully defended two churches recently, Grace Church St. Louis and New Way Church in Florida, after the IRS announced investigations into alleged political involvement. In both cases, the IRS closed the investigations."
