WASHINGTON, D.C. (BP) – President Donald Trump has named Jack Graham, senior pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, as a member of the advisory board to the newly formed Religious Liberty Commission, the White House said in a statement on May 16.
“I want to commend President Trump for initiating this commission,” Graham told Baptist Press. “He understands the vital importance of religious freedom in our country. Faith and freedom are eternally linked, and I am honored to be given the opportunity to offer my voice.”
Trump created the commission by executive order on May 1 “to vigorously enforce the historic and robust protections for religious liberty enshrined in Federal law.” Graham is one of 11 named to the advisory board and the only Southern Baptist.
Graham pointed to the shooting deaths of two young people last night who worked at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., as evidence of the need for such a commission.
The man and woman, who were to be engaged according to the Israeli ambassador, had attended an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. A 30-year-old suspect who willingly surrendered to police chanted “Free, free Palestine” as he was in custody. Eyewitnesses told media the suspect also said he “did it for Gaza.”
“We grieve over the assassination of those two young Israeli people,” Graham said. “We know that antisemitism is raging in Europe, and of course, there are problems in the Middle East. This is a vivid reminder that America must be a beacon for religious freedom, not only here but around the world.”
The commission itself will consist of up to 14 members appointed by the president, according to the order. Their term of service will end on July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of America’s independence. A separate fact sheet clarified that “advisory boards of religious leaders, lay leaders and legal experts will provide specialized guidance as subcomponents of the commission.”
At the National Prayer Breakfast held Feb. 6, Trump announced the formation of a task force dedicated to eradicating anti-Christian bias alongside his forthcoming executive order establishing the White House Faith Office.
“If we don’t have religious liberty then we don’t have a free country. We probably don’t even have a country,” he said at the breakfast. “Without God, we are isolated and alone. But with God, the Scripture tells us all things are possible.”
This is not the first time the Trump administration has looked to Prestonwood for leadership. Associate Pastor Scott Turner serves as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Prestonwood will spend much of next year celebrating America’s semiquincentennial, highlighting the country’s exceptionalism, faith and liberty.
“For the RLC, this will be a big opportunity,” Graham said, “to speak during a celebratory year on such a vital component and part of the character of America, religious freedom.”
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