Michael Farris, NRB general counsel, spoke with Tony Perkins on “Washington Watch” about a federal judge’s dismissal of a lawsuit challenging the Johnson Amendment, the judge’s reliance on the Anti-Injunction Act, and the planned appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
“The Anti-Injunction Act is what the judge ruled upon, which is a longstanding law that says you can’t sue about your taxes,” Farris said.
Following a federal district judge’s dismissal of their case, Farris and his team are preparing to appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. He argues that because this is a free speech case rather than an ordinary tax liability issue, the Supreme Court’s alternative rule applies: When there is “no other alternative remedy other than violating the law and getting in trouble,” organizations do not have to break the law first to challenge its constitutionality.
“Because what the judge said basically is the only way for nonprofits to challenge the Johnson Amendment is to get in trouble for violating it,” Farris said. “And that’s just simply contrary to Supreme Court decisions.”
Watch the full segment on “Washington Watch” below:
On “Bold and Blunt” with Cheryl Chumley, Farris explained that the Johnson Amendment was born out of political self-interest, noting that Lyndon Johnson “was definitely concerned about his political future” because “there were two nonprofit newspapers that were funded by businesses that were campaigning against him.”
As a result, “When Lyndon Johnson was in the US Senate, he put a provision into the tax code that prohibits nonprofit organizations, 501(c)(3)s, from supporting or opposing candidates.” Farris points out the detrimental practical effect of this law, stating that “churches and other nonprofits can’t say what they want to say about political candidates, which is a clear violation of freedom of speech.”
Farris summarized what is at stake: “If you don’t like the fact that somebody else has freedom of speech, then you’re really not a fan of freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is for everybody. … And if the government can decide who can speak and who can’t speak, then we don’t live in a free country.”
Watch the full segment with Cheryl Chumley below:
Farris also spoke with Perry Atkinson on “Focus Today” about the ongoing legal battle.
“Basically, he’s saying the only way you can challenge this law is if you get punished for violating the law,” Farris said. “When it comes to First Amendment freedoms, you don’t have to put yourself in jeopardy and violate the law. And if it’s curtailing your free speech, you can challenge it without violating the law.”
Farris emphasized that the law is applied with a “history of discriminatory enforcement,” leaving conservative churches in legal limbo while others campaign freely.
Watch the full interview below:
Farris discussed the issue with RSBN’s Matthew Alvarez.
“We worked out an agreement that the Johnson amendment should not be read to apply to what the pastor said on Sunday,” Farris said. “And so we’re appealing his dismissal of the case last week to the Fifth Circuit … so we can get to the merits and find that pastors indeed have freedom of speech in this country.”
Watch the full interview below (Farris’ segment: 17:13–23:18).
Farris also joined News/Talk 1540 KXEL with Jeff Stein to discuss the Johnson Amendment.
“That’s got to be the most protected spot in America,” Farris said. “It’s what a pastor says from the pulpit on Sunday. There should be no government regulation of that whatsoever.”
Click here to listen to the full News/Talk 1540 KXEL segment.
With Steve Lance on NTD, Troy A. Miller, NRB president & CEO discussed the role of faith in a recent U.S. military rescue in Iran, the growing audience for Christian media, and the Trump administration’s Religious Liberty Commission.
Reflecting on the safe rescue of a stranded U.S. airman whose first message was “God is good,” Miller praised Secretary Pete Hegseth for creating a supportive environment for believers in the armed forces.
“He’s really restored that it’s okay to be a person of faith in the military. … That’s where our strength comes from.”
Addressing a recent Pew Research study revealing that 39% of non-Christians and 19% of atheists and agnostics listen to Christian audio content, Miller explained that audiences are craving positivity and connection.
“They really want to have meaningful, deep, purposeful relationships. And that’s what’s drawing a lot of people to Christian media,” Miller said.
Watch the full interview on NTD News:
Miller spoke with Jenna Ellis on American Family Radio about the deterioration of the American family unit, the need for parents to take responsibility for teaching family values, Gen Z’s growing desire to restore meaningful relationship connections and recommit to the family structure.
“This great American experiment that was really founded on the fundamental base of the family … that the family was center to society and the core of a successful growing society,” Miller said. “We need a rededication and a recommitment to the core family values across this country.”
Listen to the full interview with Jenna Ellis:
Radio Ink covered the conversation between Nic Anderson, NRB vice president of public policy, and Aaron Smith, Pew Research Center director of Data Labs, about Christian radio’s reach and retention, the critical shift toward digital platforms, actionable listener engagement, and its surprising appeal to secular and non-Christian audiences.
“Christian radio doesn’t have a reach problem,” Anderson said. “Our opportunity is making the case for why people should be listening and giving them a reason to come back on a consistent basis. … It is thriving. People are still listening, but they’re finding different ways of listening.”
Anderson offered the practical advice to NRB members on the call: “Are you treating your digital presence the same priority as your AM and FM signal? … Are you using clear calls to action in your messaging? … Lead with values, ensuring hosts and on-air personalities communicate with clarity and consistency and conviction. Christian communicators are reaching audiences beyond your core audience who are spiritually curious. … It’s our job to teach them, it’s our job to invite them.”
Click here to read the full piece by Radio Ink.
On “The Lion’s Share” with Monte Judah recorded from the NRB 2026 Convention, Miller talked about the purpose of NRB, the historical and cultural role of Christianity in the public square, combatting antisemitism, and NRB’s plans for its upcoming event in Jerusalem.
“We’re convening the first NRB Christian Media Summit in Jerusalem,” Miller said, “and it’s going to be a media summit where we bring professionals from around the world to focus in on mainly two things: First, our overall support for Israel, the Jewish homeland—a lot of people call that Christian Zionism; I simply call it biblical,” Miller said. “Also, to work jointly together combatting antisemitism and Christian persecution around the globe. … This is an issue, as global Christian communicators, that we are convening together to fight for our Jewish brothers and sisters.”
Click here to listen to the full interview.