President Trump holds up a proclamation after signing it in the Rose Garden of the White House on Thursday. Trump said he was making it easier for churches and religious groups to take part in politics without risk of losing their tax-exempt status.

President Trump holds up a proclamation after signing it in the Rose Garden of the White House on Thursday. Trump said he was making it easier for churches and religious groups to take part in politics without risk of losing their tax-exempt status. / AFP/Getty Images

President Trump signed an executive order Thursday relaxing political restrictions on religious groups. Among other provisions, Trump directs the IRS to ease up on faith-based organizations who may have had their tax-exempt status threatened for supporting a particular candidate. NPR reporters annotate the order, adding context and analysis.

Tags: freedom from religion  Donald Trump  religious freedom  religious liberty