Americans United for Separation of Church and State sues for information on Pentagon and Labor prayer meetings

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AU sues for information on Pentagon and Labor prayer meetings

NewsJeff Brumley | March 24, 2026

Americans United for Separation of Church and State has filed lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Labor demanding public records related to monthly prayer meetings hosted by both agencies. ... The Freedom of Information Act lawsuits filed March 23 are part of American United’s ongoing investigation into how the departments are implementing President Donald Trump’s “Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias” executive order.

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The organization filed separate lawsuits against the departments in December 2025 demanding information related to how the prayer services were being planned and hosted. Of special interest, AU explained, was documentation about communication with employees, contractors and other agencies about the services, as well as the cost of hosting events and the amount of time employees were dedicating to the mostly evangelical Christian prayer gatherings.

AU said its goal is to determine if the federal agencies are upholding their constitutional obligations to remain neutral on religious matters and to recognize the religious freedom of federal employees. Neither agency has responded to the substantive FOIA inquiries.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State v. U.S. Department of Defense and Americans United for Separation of Church and State v. U.S. Department of Labor, were filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, each arguing the departments have illegally withheld records they are required under FOIA to disclose.

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