A lawsuit against the Idaho National Guard alleges discrimination against Christians in leadership roles, sparking debate on religious freedom in the military.
At a Glance
- Major David Worley removed from command due to Christian beliefs expressed outside military
- Liberty Counsel files lawsuit citing unconstitutional “No Christians in Command” policy
- Lawsuit names Governor Brad Little and top military officials as defendants
- Case highlights tension between personal religious beliefs and military service
Lawsuit Challenges Idaho National Guard’s Alleged Anti-Christian Policy
The Idaho Army National Guard is facing a legal battle over claims of religious discrimination against Christians in leadership positions. Liberty Counsel, a non-profit legal organization, has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Major David Worley, who was allegedly removed from command due to his Christian beliefs expressed outside of his military duties.
The lawsuit, which names Governor Brad Little, Major General Timothy J. Donnellan, and Brigadier General James C. Packwood as defendants, argues that the Idaho National Guard has implemented an unconstitutional “No Christians in Command” policy.
In the United States of America.
This policy reportedly involves scrutinizing candidates for leadership positions for “concerning ideologies,” including their public records and social media activity.
The controversy began when Major Worley, during a Mayoral campaign, expressed his religious views on issues such as “Drag Queen Story Hours” and gender-related medical procedures for minors. These statements, made outside his military responsibilities, led to a discrimination complaint from a subordinate who claimed a hostile work environment.
“The U.S. Supreme Court has long held that military members do not shed their constitutional rights when they step forward to serve the nation. Nor are the military departments immune to the laws protecting their individual freedoms,” Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said.
Despite an investigation finding no wrongdoing on Worley’s part, he was removed from command. The lawsuit alleges that his beliefs were labeled as “toxic” by military leadership, leading to his demotion.
Legal Implications and Constitutional Concerns
Liberty Counsel argues that the Idaho National Guard’s actions violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the Idaho Free Exercise of Religious Protection Act. The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction against discrimination of Christians in the Idaho Army National Guard and a temporary restraining order to restore Major Worley to his position.
“By suspending and removing Major David Worley from command over his Christian beliefs, the Idaho Army National Guard informally adopted an unconstitutional ‘No Christians in Command’ policy. The Constitution simply does not allow the military to punish those with sincerely held religious beliefs or to specifically target religion for disparate and discriminatory treatment,” Staver explained.
The case has drawn attention to potential anti-Christian bias in military institutions, prompting calls for investigation and action. It contributes to a broader national conversation about the balance between religious freedom and military service, highlighting the need for clear guidelines on how personal beliefs intersect with professional duties in the armed forces.
This lawsuit comes at a time when concerns about religious discrimination in various sectors of society are gaining prominence. President Donald Trump recently signed an Executive Order to address anti-Christian bias, with Attorney General Pam Bondi set to lead a task force on the issue.
“Governor Brad Little must ensure that the Idaho Army National Guard upholds federal and state law and protects the free speech of its service members. This discrimination against Major Worley must stop and his record must be cleared and his career restored,” Staver added.
As the case unfolds, it will likely spark further debate on the rights of service members to express their religious beliefs and the military’s responsibility to maintain a diverse and inclusive environment.
We need Trump now more than ever.
