President Donald Trump looks up at the American flag on the flagpole on the South Lawn as he arrives at the White House, Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
For Democrats trying to connect with people of faith, this decision is timely, said Doug Pagitt, pastor and executive director of Vote Common Good, a progressive and evangelical Christian organization.
“Conservative pastors who have been blatantly endorsing candidates regardless of the Johnson Amendment over the years created a disadvantage causing Democrats to step away from faith voters,” he said. “There was a true imbalance between how many more opportunities there were for Republican voters.”
The IRS statement, Pagitt says, also puts an end to the delicate dance pastors and congregations were forced to do.
“You could talk about politics in the church gymnasium, but not in the sanctuary or from the pulpit,” he said. “Pastors could express political opinions on their personal Facebook page, but not on the church’s website. It’s just silly.”