Federal employees are now explicitly permitted to express and promote their religious beliefs at work, according to new guidance issued Monday by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) under the Trump Administration.
The memo outlines what it describes as “permissible religious expression in the workplace,” reaffirming that federal workers are protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and prohibits government discrimination based on religious belief.
“Federal employees should never have to choose between their faith and their career,” said OPM Director Scott Kupor in a statement. “This guidance ensures the federal workplace is not just compliant with the law but welcoming to Americans of all faiths. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are restoring constitutional freedoms and making government a place where people of faith are respected, not sidelined.”
Under the new directive, federal workers may display religious items at their workstations, such as Bibles, rosaries, or tefillin. They may also engage in religious discussions with colleagues—including attempts to persuade others of their beliefs—as long as such conversations are not deemed harassing. Employees can form prayer groups or conduct scripture study sessions, provided these activities take place during non-duty hours.
The memo also gives examples of acceptable public religious expression by federal staff. These include park rangers who choose to pray with their tour groups and Veterans Affairs doctors who wish to pray with patients. The guidance emphasizes that these actions are permitted so long as they are voluntary and respectful of others’ beliefs.
The policy is part of a broader push by the Trump Administration to increase visibility and protections for religious expression in government settings. Earlier this month, OPM issued separate guidance urging agencies to approve remote work requests when related to religious accommodations, despite Trump’s earlier directive requiring federal employees to return to the office five days a week.
In February, President Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at addressing what he called “anti-Christian bias.” The order instructed federal agencies to identify and eliminate any practices or policies that, according to the administration, unfairly target Christians. The order also criticized the previous Biden Administration for what it described as selective enforcement, accusing it of ignoring crimes against Christians while focusing enforcement on peaceful religious expression.
Supporters of the new guidance argue that it reinforces constitutional rights in the workplace and protects religious diversity. Critics, however, have expressed concerns that such policies could blur the lines between church and state or make some employees uncomfortable, particularly in government settings where neutrality is expected.
The OPM has stated that the guidance will be distributed across federal agencies to ensure uniform understanding and implementation.
