• Federal employees can discuss and promote their religious beliefs at work.
• The guidance allows for the formation of prayer groups during non-duty hours.
• Employees can display religious items at their workstations.
• The policy aims to enhance religious expression while preventing harassment.
• Critics argue it may blur the separation of church and state in government workplaces.

The Trump administration has issued a memorandum permitting U.S. federal employees to openly discuss and promote their religious beliefs in the workplace. The guidance, released by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), emphasizes the right of employees to engage in discussions about their faith, attempt to persuade colleagues of the "correctness" of their beliefs, and participate in communal religious activities, provided such efforts are not harassing in nature, according to Reuters and AA.

Under the new policy, federal workers will be allowed to create prayer groups, display religious symbols such as Bibles and crucifixes at their desks, and invite coworkers to religious services, as outlined in memos from both OPM Director Scott Kupor and additional reports from The Hill and CBS News. Employees can also receive accommodations for working hours to align with religious practices.

The administration’s stance is based on existing civil rights laws and the First Amendment which protects the right to freely express religious beliefs. Kupor noted that federal employees should never have to choose between their faith and their career. "This guidance ensures the federal workplace is not just compliant with the law but welcoming to Americans of all faiths," he stated, as reported by TRT Global.

While proponents argue that the memo enhances religious freedoms, critics worry it may encourage inappropriate workplace proselytizing and undermine the principle of separating religion from government. Organizations such as the Freedom From Religion Foundation have voiced concerns, arguing that the policy permits aggressive forms of religious expression in professional settings, as highlighted by CBS News.