Press Releases

Religious Liberty Commission to Hear Testimony Regarding Suppression of Religious Liberty Rights in the Military

Media Advisory
For Immediate Release: 12.9.25
Contact: John Manning, media@firstliberty.org
Direct: 972-941-4453

Religious Liberty Commission to Hear Testimony Regarding Suppression of Religious Liberty Rights in the Military
The Commission will present the President with recommendations on how to stop religious liberty threats against service members in all military branches.

Dallas, TX— The President’s Religious Liberty Commission will hold a hearing on Wednesday, December 10, at 8:30 am at The Old Parkland Debate Chamber, Pavilion Building in Dallas, Texas. Kelly Shackelford, President, CEO, and Chief Counsel to First Liberty Institute, and one of the Commissioners, will attend the hearing.

The focus of the fourth Religious Liberty Commission hearing will be religious liberty issues in the military, including testimony from servicemembers, chaplains, and veterans, who have experienced threats, harassment, and job termination for their religious views and practices.

     What:           President’s Religious Liberty Commission

     When:          Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 8:30am CST

     Where:         Debate Chamber, Pavilion Building
3819 Maple Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75219

The hearing will be streamed live, and will include testimony from current and former First Liberty clients:

• Kenny Vaughan, founder of Shields of Strength, a faith-based company that creates and distributes Bible verse-engraved dog tags to encourage service members and their families.
• David Barton, founder of WallBuilders, an organization dedicated to teaching the moral, religious and constitutional foundation on which the nation was built.
• Mike Berry, Executive Director of External Affairs and Senior Counsel with First Liberty Institute, has represented numerous First Liberty clients serving in the military regarding religious liberty matters and First Amendment rights.

This event is open to the press. There will be no media Q&A with the Attorney General, Commission members, or witnesses. Still photographers must RSVP. If you are a member of the media requesting event credentials, please send your request to RLC@usdoj.gov. If applicable, please indicate the number of cameras you plan to bring.

To arrange an interview with First Liberty representatives after the meeting, contact media@firstliberty.org.

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About First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is a non-profit public interest law firm and the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.
To arrange an interview, contact John Manning at media@firstliberty.org or by calling 972-941-4453.