New Attorney General Must Vigorously Defend Religious Liberty

Washington, DC – Today the Senate Judiciary Committee issued a favorable recommendation to the full Senate on the nomination of Judge Michael Mukasey to become the next attorney general. The Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, President of The Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement:

The Interfaith Alliance is greatly troubled by the Department of Justice’s recent track record on religious liberty issues. In February 2007, the Department of Justice launched a new initiative called The First Freedom Project to purportedly expand religious liberty. But its real purpose seems to be an end-run around Congress to perpetuate the president’s unconstitutional faith-based initiative and to continue eroding the separation between the institutions of religion and government.

The Interfaith Alliance is hopeful that a change in personnel will lead to a change in policy at the Justice Department that safeguards our nation’s first freedom. Rest assured, we will continue to closely monitor the Justice Department’s actions on the critical issue of religious liberty.


Interfaith Alliance celebrates religious freedom by championing individual rights, promoting policies that protect both religion and democracy, and uniting diverse voices to challenge extremism. Founded in 1994, Interfaith Alliance brings together members from 75 faith traditions as well as those without a faith tradition to protect faith and freedom. For more information visit www.interfaithalliance.org.