Trump commission urges ‘bridges’ between church and state in sweeping draft report

The Religious Liberty Commission is an advisory body created by President Donald Trump last year and filled almost entirely by conservative Christians.

A new report by a Trump administration commission suggests replacing the idea of separating church and state with the idea of building bridges between them.

Limited time: Save 25% on NBC News subscription

Get exclusive reporting, live Q&As and ad-free reading.

The assertion — challenging a longstanding concept in American law — comes amid a raft of recommendations in a draft report of the Religious Liberty Commission, released Friday afternoon.

The advisory body was created by President Donald Trump last year and filled almost entirely by conservative Christians. The 224-page draft report — part policy document, part philosophical argument — echoes members’ support for a stronger role for religion and religious expression in government, schools and the public square.