The ACLU criticized President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), saying Russell Vought holds views that go against religious freedom.
"Religious freedom is such a fundamental liberty that the framers of our Constitution enshrined it in the First Amendment," said ACLU legislative and advocacy counsel Manar Waheed in a statement from the organization.
"That's why it's so disturbing that Trump continues to pack his administration with appointees like Russell Vought, whose views threaten that very freedom.
"Trump's nominee for this powerful position that helps decide how federal money is spent has claimed that 'Muslims do not simply have a deficient theology. They do not know God because they have rejected Jesus Christ his Son, and they stand condemned.'"
Waheed was referencing a story Vought wrote last year for The Resurgent. In that piece, Vought addressed a controversy at Wheaton College regarding the termination of a professor there who said Muslims and Christians worship the same God.
Vought cited his own religious views in taking the position Wheaton was right to fire the professor.
The ACLU does not agree.
"We know that diversity is one of our nation's greatest strengths, and it is vitally important that Americans have confidence that their public servants will serve our entire nation in good faith," Waheed said.
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.