(DCNF)—The Department of Justice (DOJ) has stepped up its defense of religious liberty under the Trump administration.
In the past several months, the DOJ has filed statements of interest in land use cases for churches, helped launch a task force to “eliminate” anti-Christian bias and opened an investigation into an “anti-Catholic” law in Washington.
The DOJ opened an investigation Monday into a Washington law that forces Catholic priests to disclose information received in the confessional related to child abuse or neglect. The law, signed by Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson on Friday, explicitly excludes “members of the clergy” from an exemption for reporting information obtained as a result of “a privileged communication.”
Bishop Thomas Daly of the Spokane Diocese said priests would remain “committed to keeping the seal of confession – even to the point of going to jail” after the law was signed.
“Washington’s new law forces priests to choose between violating their faith or breaking the law,” Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon wrote Monday on X. “That’s unconstitutional.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi hosted cabinet members in April for a meeting of the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias established through an executive order.
The DOJ also indicted a man in March for allegedly setting fire to a Mormon church.
Andrea Picciotti Bayer, director of the Conscience Project and former DOJ civil rights attorney, told the Daily Caller News Foundation these steps are “exactly what Americans should expect from the federal government.”
“For far too long the DOJ’s Civil Right’s Division ignored religious freedom and, at times, even was hostile to people of faith and churches,” she said. “These key efforts show that this pattern and practice is ending.”
Washington’s new law forces priests to choose between violating their faith or breaking the law. That’s unconstitutional. The @CivilRights Division has opened an investigation into SB 5375’s apparent attack on the First Amendment and religious liberty. We will not look away. https://t.co/t7Xt6Prpqo
— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@HarmeetKDhillon) May 5, 2025
Dhillon told the DCNF in an interview in April that there is “open hostility to religion in many sectors of our society.”
“We have federal statutes that protect religion, not just the First Amendment, but there’s the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act [RLUIPA],” she said. “We’ve brought several cases in the DOJ Civil Rights Division to protect houses of worship, Christian and others.”
RLUIPA protects religious assemblies and institutions from discrimination in zoning and land use regulations.
In April, the civil rights division filed statements of interest in RLUIPA cases brought by an Islamic organization in New York, as well as Christian churches in North Carolina and New Hampshire. It also filed statements in March backing Christian churches in Santa Ana, California and Pennsylvania.
The DOJ first launched its Place to Worship Initiative to increase awareness of RLUIPA in 2018.
Biden’s DOJ used the law to support faith-based services to the homeless, suing in December over a Georgia city’s effort to close a homeless shelter affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
Former Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke wrote a letter informing state, county and municipal officials of their obligations under RLUIPA in May 2024, noting the law applies to “religious social service facilities such as group homes, homeless shelters, and soup kitchens.”
“Our work in this area suggests that litigation is far less likely if local officials are aware of RLUIPA and consider its protections early in the process of reviewing land use applications from religious organizations,” she wrote.
In 11 years, First Liberty senior counsel Jeremy Dys told the DCNF he’s had around four statements of interest filed in religious land use cases by the DOJ — two have come in the past few months. The Trump DOJ is much quicker to “launch in defense of religious liberty” than the prior administration, he said.
“It’s one thing for Congress to pass a law like RLUIPA,” Dys told the DCNF. “It’s an entirely different thing for an administration like this to say, we take that seriously and want to see it enforced at the local level. And if the Department of Justice won’t do that, what we’re going to see is cities and counties and other municipalities running roughshod over the civil rights of America’s religious entities. So I’m very encouraged that the Department of Justice has made this issue, enforcing especially religious land use protections, a priority of the administration itself.”
Under the Biden administration, the DOJ also prosecuted pro-life activists while failing to prosecute many attacks on churches and pro-life pregnancy centers. Dhillon promised during an interview with the DCNF that pattern was “going to change.”
Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, hundreds of churches and pregnancy centers were vandalized, broken into, firebombed or otherwise damaged, according to Catholic Vote. Between 1994 to 2024, just six cases were brought under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act against abortion activists, though 205 were brought against pro-life activists, the Daily Caller reported.
“The FACE Act can be used to protect clinics where women get counseling about their options for abortion, and 200 of those have been violently attacked, firebombed, picketed and otherwise been obstructed over the last few years with zero action from the DOJ,” Dhillon previously told the DCNF.
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Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
