US President Donald Trump has promised to “totally destroy” a 1954 US law barring churches from politics.
Trump promised to equally put an end to the ban on other religious institutions from political activity if they wanted to keep tax-exempt status.
He made his comments about a measure called the Johnson Amendment during remarks at the annual National Prayer Breakfast.
“I will get rid of and totally destroy the Johnson Amendment and allow our representatives of faith to speak freely and without fear of retribution, Trump told an audience including politicians, religious leaders and guests such as Jordan’s King Abdullah.
“I will do that, remember.”
The Johnson Amendment prohibits tax-exempt organisations such as churches, charities and educational institutions from directly or indirectly participating in any political campaign in favour or against a political candidate.
It is named after Democratic former President Lyndon Johnson and is an important statutory barrier between politics and religion.
Trump previously spoke out against the amendment during the campaign and won the support of evangelical Christian leaders including Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr.
A change in the law would require action in the Republican-led US Congress.
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