DOJ’s Focus on Religious Freedom Discussed at Hearing
During a recent hearing, Attorney General Pam Bondy addressed the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) efforts to uphold religious freedom, emphasizing her commitment to various faiths, including Judaism and Islam. She remarked, “It’s not just Catholics; we’re talking about all religions. Even mosques have faced closures under the Biden administration.”
Bondy made these comments while responding to Representative Riley Moore’s inquiries regarding the resources needed to eliminate perceived anti-Christian bias.
She also referred to a tragic incident linked to anti-Semitism, where two individuals connected to the Israeli Embassy were killed near a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. in May. This violence was underscored by the suspect’s exclamation of “Free Palestine!” during the arrest.
Moreover, Bondy hinted at laws in some states that had closed all religious buildings as part of Covid-19 measures in 2020 during Trump’s presidency. She reported that she regularly communicates with the DOJ Civil Rights Division, which she credits for refocusing its approach on protecting religious freedoms across the board.
On another topic, during the hearing, Moore raised a contentious internal FBI memo from 2023, which labeled certain Catholics as “radical traditionalists.” This document outlined perceived extremist behaviors within small Catholic groups, tying them to a broader narrative of violent rhetoric.
In light of the backlash, the FBI retracted the memo, with Christopher Ray acknowledging his involvement but maintaining a level of confidentiality about the specifics of actions taken against employees involved.
Bondy clarified that under her leadership, the DOJ will refrain from utilizing the Southern Poverty Law Center as a resource moving forward.
