Americans United Files Second Lawsuit Against State Department Over Anti-Christian Bias Task Force
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) has filed a second lawsuit against the federal government, this time targeting the U.S. State Department, for failing to release records related to the controversial Anti-Christian Bias Task Force.
Background: Executive Order and Task Force Creation
On February 2025, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the Anti-Christian Bias Task Force. The stated purpose of the task force is to investigate and address alleged incidents of anti-Christian discrimination within federal agencies and across the country. The State Department was the first federal agency to implement the order, instructing its employees to report any perceived anti-Christian bias.
Americans United’s Legal Action
On August 5, 2025, Americans United announced it had filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the State Department. The lawsuit alleges that the department failed to comply with legal requirements to provide public records about the creation, operation, and activities of the Anti-Christian Bias Task Force. This marks the second such lawsuit by AU; the first was filed earlier this year against the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for similar reasons.
Concerns Over Christian Nationalism
Americans United argues that the task force is based on false claims of widespread anti-Christian bias and is designed to privilege Christian nationalism in federal policy. The organization contends that the executive order and subsequent agency actions could undermine the constitutional principle of church-state separation by giving preferential treatment to one religious group.
The State Department’s directive to its employees was the first of its kind, requiring staff to report any instances of anti-Christian bias. Critics, including AU, warn that such policies could chill free speech and lead to discrimination against religious minorities or non-religious individuals.
This latest lawsuit is part of a broader effort by Americans United to obtain transparency and accountability regarding the task force’s activities. The organization’s first FOIA lawsuit, filed against the VA, is still pending. Both lawsuits seek to compel the release of documents that could shed light on the motivations and operations behind the task force.
For more information and the original source, visit the Americans United press release.
