ACLJ & 41 Members of Congress Urge Federal Court to Dismiss Lawsuit Aimed at Removing National Motto from U.S. Currency

(Washington, DC) - The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) – which focuses on constitutional law – announced today that it has filed an amicus brief on behalf of 41 members of Congress and nearly 90,000 Americans urging a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit aimed at removing the national motto – “In God, We Trust” – from U.S. currency and coins. The brief argues that the national motto reflects the historical fact that this nation was founded upon a belief in God. Further, the brief contends that the First Amendment does not compel the redaction of all references to God just to suit atheistic preferences.

“This lawsuit is just another misguided attempt to alter the historical and cultural landscape of America,” said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ. “Like similar challenges in the past, this suit is deeply flawed and without merit. It’s always been our position that while the First Amendment affords atheists complete freedom to disbelieve, it does not compel the federal judiciary to redact religious references in every area of public life in order to suit atheistic sensibilities. The fact is that the constitutionality of the national motto is well established in case law.”

In its amicus brief, the ACLJ rejects arguments made by atheist Michael Newdow and the Freedom From Religion Foundation that the national motto on our currency violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

The brief states: “The national motto simply echoes the principle found in the Declaration of Independence that our freedoms come from God and not the state. The national motto was adopted for the express purpose of reaffirming America’s unique understanding of this truth. . . . The Establishment Clause was never intended as a guarantee that a person will not be exposed to religion or religious symbols on public property, and the Supreme Court has rejected previous attempts to eradicate all symbols of this country’s religious heritage from the public’s view.”

The ACLJ amicus brief, posted here, urges the court to dismiss the lawsuit.
 
The amicus brief represents 41 members of Congress: Randy Forbes, Robert Aderholt, Marsha Blackburn, Bill Cassidy, Michael Conaway, Jeff Duncan, John Duncan, John Fleming, Bill Flores, Trent Franks, Scott Garrett, Louie Gohmert, Vicky Hartzler, Tim Huelskamp, Bill Huizenga, Randy Hultgren, Bill Johnson, Walter Jones, John Kline, Doug LaMalfa, Doug Lamborn, James Lankford, Mike McIntyre, Jeff Miller, Randy Neugebauer, Alan Nunnelee, Steven Palazzo, Steve Pearce, Robert Pittenger, Joe Pitts, Bill Posey, David P. Roe, Matt Salmon, Marlin Stutzman, Lee Terry, Glenn Thompson, Tim Walberg, Lynn Westmoreland, Joe Wilson, Robert Wittman, and Frank Wolf.

The brief also represents the ACLJ’s Committee to Protect the
National Motto which consists of 87,500 Americans who oppose the lawsuit challenging the national motto. Also represented in the brief, the American Catholic Lawyers Association (ACLA) – a Catholic religious organization that engages in public interest litigation and public discourse and debate on issues related to the religious liberty of Catholics and the proper role of religion in civil society.

The brief was filed May 10th in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in New York City.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) is dedicated to the defense of constitutional liberties secured by law and is based in Washington, D.C.