The 1954 Johnson Amendment (the law barring all nonprofit organizations like churches from engaging in partisan politics) has never been meaningfully enforced. During his first term, President Trump signed an executive order instructing the IRS to ease up further.

Since 1954, the IRS has banned nonprofits — including congregations — from participating in political campaigns. The agency now says political endorsements by churches should be allowed.

In court filings July 7, the IRS has largely backed down on a decades-old rule that barred churches from engaging in political activity.