Trump memo asserts federal employees' rights to religious expression

The Trump administration on Monday issued a memo outlining the rights of federal employees to express their religious views to their coworkers.

Under the new guidance, employees may “encourage their coworkers to participate in religious expressions of faith, such as prayer, to the same extent that they would be permitted to encourage coworkers participate in other personal activities,” The Hill reported.

It further directs agencies not to punish employees for outward expressions of their faith, including the display of religious iconography or holy texts in their offices.

“During a break, an employee may engage another in polite discussion of why his faith is correct and why the non-adherent should re-think his religious beliefs," the memo read. "However, if the nonadherent requests such attempts to stop, the employee should honor the request."