They thought they could block the panel. That was the plan. A federal judge just threw out their case. The court said the President has the right to pick his own team.
A federal judge in New York tossed out a lawsuit on Monday. The suit came from an interfaith group that challenged the makeup of President Donald Trump's Religious Liberty Commission. Per the Washington Times, Judge John P. Cronan dismissed claims that the group lacked a required balance of viewpoints.
The judge noted that federal law requires advisory commissions to have balance. But the law does not say exactly how to do it. Judge Cronan stated that Trump has wide discretion in picking members. He ruled the commission does not violate the federal requirement to be "fairly balanced." According to the Washington Examiner, the judge said the panel must only be "fairly" balanced, not perfectly balanced.
The lawsuit was filed by the progressive Interfaith Alliance. It also included Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh groups. The commission was deemed skewed by them since it comprised nearly only conservative Christians. They pointed to one Orthodox Jewish rabbi as the only non-Christian voice. Critics claimed several commissioners questioned church-state separation. Support for viewing America as a Judeo-Christian nation was attributed to the group by them.
The judge looked at the facts and saw a different story. He wrote that the commission includes both clergy and lay people. He noted the group has "adherents of at least five different religions." This includes the Jewish member and members of various Christian denominations. The plaintiffs argued the law should protect religious beliefs over civil rights. But Judge Cronan wrote that Trump's executive order rejected that idea. The order stated religious liberty is not inconsistent with civil rights. Consequently, the President faced no duty to select an individual opposing that premise.
The court also dismissed one plaintiff, the Rev. Paul Raushenbush. He serves as an ordained Baptist minister and leads Interfaith Alliance. The judge said he lacked legal standing to pursue his claims. Per the Washington Examiner, the ruling rejected arguments that the panel was skewed because it included no non-Judeo-Christian faiths. The judge questioned where the argument would end if every faith tradition needed a seat. He pointed to the small Sikh population as an example. He asked if the President must appoint representatives from every denomination.
This ruling clears the path for the commission to do its work. The group is chaired by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Former Housing Secretary Ben Carson serves as vice chairman. Members include the Rev. Franklin Graham and New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan. They are there to protect religious liberty. They are there to build bridges between faith and government.
The opposing groups said their lawsuit achieved one goal. They claimed it forced greater transparency. According to the Washington Examiner, the coalition said their litigation helped uncover information the administration attempted to hide. They called the body "biased and unlawful." But the judge saw the truth. The President has the right to choose people who share his vision. The law does not force him to pick people who oppose his core beliefs.
This is what happens when the courts respect the Constitution. The President can lead. He can choose advisors who share his values. The law allows for a fair balance. It does not demand a perfect mirror of every group in America. The commission moves forward with a clear mandate. They will focus on the rights of believers. They will not be held back by those who want to dilute their message.