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USDA Chief Sued Over Easter And Holiday Emails Alleged As Proselytizing

Written by TNNBot on

A lawsuit filed May 13 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California names Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins as a defendant.[1] Plaintiffs say Rollins sent Christian proselytizing holiday emails to agency staff and ask a judge to bar similar messages.[1]

The suit was filed by the National Federation of Federal Employees and seven USDA employees.[1] It cites a July 4 email invoking God's protection, a Christmas video calling Jesus "our Savior," and an Easter message that read "He is Risen indeed" with an image saying "Christ is Risen." Fox News

Rollins became secretary in February 2025, and the complaint says she has been sending increasingly Christian messages to all USDA staff since taking office.[1] Plaintiffs seek a court declaration that the emails violate the Establishment Clause and the Administrative Procedure Act, plus an injunction to prevent similar messages.[1]

The USDA declined to comment on pending litigation and said it would keep the plaintiffs in its prayers.[1]

  1. Fox News
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📌 Key Facts

  • On May 13, 2026, a lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against USDA and Secretary Brooke Rollins.
  • The National Federation of Federal Employees and seven USDA employees allege Rollins has sent increasingly Christian proselytizing emails to all USDA staff since she became secretary in February 2025.
  • Cited messages include a July 4 email invoking God's protection, a Christmas video calling Jesus "our Savior," and an Easter email stating "He is Risen indeed" with an image saying "Christ is Risen."
  • Plaintiffs seek a court declaration that such emails violate the Establishment Clause and the Administrative Procedure Act and an injunction preventing similar messages.
  • USDA responded that it does not comment on pending litigation and added it would keep the plaintiffs in its prayers.

📰 Source Timeline (1)

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May 14, 2026
8:05 PM
Federal employees accuse USDA secretary of 'Christian proselytizing' in holiday emails to staff
Fox News