Biden’s Justice Department has launched a federal religious discrimination lawsuit against Troy, Idaho, after the small town rejected an evangelical church’s request to operate downtown, marking a surprising defense of religious freedom from an administration often criticized for its antagonism toward traditional Christian values.
Key Takeaways
- The DOJ is suing Troy, Idaho, for alleged religious discrimination after denying Christ Church a permit to hold services in a downtown building
- Federal officials claim Troy violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), which prohibits discriminatory zoning practices against religious groups
- Public comments revealed opposition based on the church’s conservative theology rather than legitimate zoning concerns
- Troy subsequently passed a new ordinance specifically banning churches from the central business district, further restricting religious freedom
- The lawsuit seeks to force Troy to allow the church to operate at the location and require training for city officials on religious discrimination laws
Federal Government Steps In To Defend Religious Freedom
The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Troy, Idaho, a town with a population of just over a thousand residents, alleging violations of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). The legal action stems from the town’s denial of a conditional use permit to Christ Church, an evangelical congregation from nearby Moscow, Idaho, which sought to establish a location in Troy due to growth and expansion needs. The DOJ claims the town’s decision was motivated by religious animus rather than legitimate zoning concerns, representing a troubling case of government overreach against religious freedom.
According to court documents, Christ Church elder Matt Meyer purchased a vacant former bank building in downtown Troy for church services and office space. Under Troy’s land use ordinance at the time, churches required conditional approval for operation, regardless of the zone. When the church applied for the necessary permit, it faced significant pushback during public comment periods, with much of the opposition centered not on practical concerns but on disagreement with the church’s conservative theological positions, which include traditional views on gender roles and family structure.
Clear Evidence of Religious Discrimination
The Justice Department’s lawsuit details how Troy officials treated Christ Church differently than non-religious assemblies and organizations that would create similar impacts on the downtown area. While city officials claimed their denial was based on concerns about traffic, parking, and potential negative impacts on business growth, the DOJ argues these justifications were merely pretexts for religious discrimination. Particularly damning is the fact that after denying Christ Church’s application, Troy quickly passed a new ordinance specifically banning churches and religious facilities in the central business district.
“RLUIPA unequivocally forbids local governments from deciding zoning matters based on their dislike of certain religious groups. The Department of Justice will not hesitate to file suit against jurisdictions that discriminate in land use matters on the basis of the applicants’ religious beliefs,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon
Todd Richardson, Troy’s attorney, has denied the discrimination allegations, claiming, “We have no complaints about Christ Church being in town. We have concerns about overwhelming that zone.” However, the DOJ points out that Meyer had expressed willingness to address any legitimate concerns about the church’s operation, but city officials never requested conditions that might mitigate the purported issues. This lack of engagement suggests the city’s objections were not based on reasonable zoning concerns that could be resolved through standard accommodations.
Trump Justice Dept takes on a city that denied a permit to Christ Church to hold services in its downtown zoning district, where nonreligious assembly uses such as clubs, museums, auditoriums, & art galleries were allowed. https://t.co/Cb6pwvynWx
— John R Lott Jr. (@JohnRLottJr) May 29, 2025
Growing Concerns About Anti-Christian Bias
Christ Church has faced opposition in the liberal college town of Moscow, where it is headquartered, making its expansion to Troy a strategic move for the growing congregation. Pastor Douglas Wilson has been outspoken about what he views as ideologically motivated opposition to the church’s presence in the region. The church’s experience in Troy appears to confirm a pattern of resistance based not on zoning regulations but on disagreement with the church’s traditional Christian theology, raising significant First Amendment concerns.
“The content of things that I say should have nothing to do with whether a church is allowed to meet. You don’t approve a religious assembly based upon your disagreement with certain views expressed,” said Christ Church pastor Douglas Wilson
The lawsuit seeks multiple remedies, including an order that would compel Troy to allow Christ Church to worship at the downtown location and mandatory training on federal religious discrimination laws for city personnel. This case represents a significant test of RLUIPA, which was enacted specifically to protect religious organizations from discriminatory zoning practices. As religious freedom faces increasing challenges across America, the outcome of this case could set an important precedent for protecting the rights of faith communities to establish houses of worship without facing government discrimination based on their religious beliefs.
