As part of an investigation into the monthly, predominantly Christian prayer services being organized by the U.S. Departments of Labor and Defense, Americans United for Separation of Church and State today filed two federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuits against the agencies. They bring AU’s tally to five lawsuits pending against the Trump administration for violating federal transparency law by refusing to fulfill AU’s public-records requests for information into how the federal government is advancing Christian Nationalism.
In December 2025, Americans United filed separate FOIA requests with both the DOD (also known as the Department of War) and DOL seeking public records related to the planning and hosting of the departments’ prayer services. In particular, AU sought records that document communications with department employees, contractors and other agencies; the cost; the amount of time department employees spent; invited speakers and guests; transcripts or recordings; and any complaints from employees relating to the prayer services.
The requested documents will help AU determine whether the departments are upholding their obligation to remain neutral about religious matters and respect the religious freedom of federal workers.
Neither department has provided a substantive response within the time frame required by FOIA. The lawsuits, 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 today in the U.S. District Court for Washington, D.C. They argue that the departments unlawfully withheld records they are required to disclose under FOIA.
“The federal government’s role is to serve the public, not to proselytize,” said Americans United President and CEO Rachel Laser. “Secretaries Hegseth and Chavez-DeRemer are abusing the power of their government positions and taxpayer-funded resources to impose their preferred religion on federal workers. Even if these prayer services are presented as voluntary, there is pressure on federal employees to attend in order to appease their bosses – especially since these services occur amidst the Trump administration’s campaign to punish anyone who doesn’t comply with its Christian Nationalist agenda.
“We urge all federal employees to familiarize themselves with Americans United’s ‘Know Your Rights’ guide so they can understand their rights and also combat disinformation the Trump administration has circulated about religious expression in the federal workplace. We encourage any federal workers who believe a federal agency has violated their religious freedom to contact Americans United at au.org. Americans United will not stop fighting for church-state separation and for this nation to live up to its promise of religious freedom for all.”
Americans United attorneys leading this litigation include Senior Litigation Counsel Amy Tai and Litigation Counsel Jenny Samuels.
Americans United also has filed FOIA lawsuits against the Departments of Health and Human Services, State, and Veterans Affairs as part of AU’s investigation into how the agencies are implementing President Donald Trump’s disinformation-filled mandate in a February 2025 executive order about purported anti-Christian bias in the federal government. Those lawsuits are ongoing.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth first organized the “Secretary’s Christian Prayer & Worship Service” during a May 2025 work day at a Pentagon auditorium; it was broadcast live on DOD’s internal TV network and all DOD employees were invited to attend. Hegseth opened with a Christian prayer and voiced his belief that the nation needed to be “in prayer, on bended knee recognizing the providence of our lord and savior Jesus Christ.” Also speaking was Hegseth’s pastor, Brooks Potteiger, whose denomination declares that homosexuality is “unbiblical” and that women should not participate in combat.
The DOD prayer services have continued monthly; the February 2026 service (whose invitation to employees was decorated with a Christian cross) featured Idaho-based pastor Doug Wilson, a self-described Christian Nationalist and cofounder of Hegseth’s church’s denomination. Evangelist Franklin Graham led a Christmas-themed service in December 2025, at which he proclaimed: “We know that God loves. But did you know that God also hates? Do you know that God also is a God of war?”
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has said she was inspired by Hegseth’s prayer services to start her own. At the inaugural DOL service in December 2025, Chavez-DeRemer spoke of her Catholic faith and said, “as we celebrate 250 years in 2026, [this country] will probably need a little more prayer.” Several people, including other leaders in the Labor Department, offered Christian prayers. The lone non-Christian known to speak was an Orthodox rabbi who voiced anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion sentiments.
Americans United is a religious freedom advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, AU educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
Liz Hayes
Associate Vice President of Communications
[email protected]
