© 2026 WRVO Public Media
NPR News for Central New York
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

'If You Can Keep It': The Separation Of Church And State

Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks during the first hearing of U.S. President Donald Trump's Religious Liberty Commission on "the importance of faith to American success" at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC.
Kayla Bartkowski
/
Getty Images
Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks during the first hearing of U.S. President Donald Trump's Religious Liberty Commission on "the importance of faith to American success" at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC.

Donald Trump's new Commission on Religious Liberty met last week for the first time.

When Trump signed the executive order in May establishing the group, he marked the occasion by saying, "We're bringing religion back to our country, and it's a big deal."

But isn't the separation of church and state guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution? Can the president just "forget about it" even once?

Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Copyright 2025 NPR

Recent cuts to federal funding are challenging our mission to serve central and upstate New York with trusted journalism, vital local coverage, and the diverse programming that informs and connects our communities. This is the moment to join our community of supporters and help keep journalists on the ground, asking hard questions that matter to our region.

Stand with public media and make your gift today—not just for yourself, but for all who depend on WRVO as a trusted resource and civic cornerstone in central and upstate New York.