groups

Underlying the issue, he said, is a “fear that crime is more prevalent,” a perception fueled by viral videos of stores being robbed by large groups of teens.

Rodriguez accused cannabis interest groups of targeting Rios because he’s spoken against them and because at least one of their candidates lost the election.

The Johnson Amendment has long been a topic of debate, with some religious broadcasters and other church-affiliated groups arguing that it infringes on their free speech rights.

Still, despite the lack of enforcement by the IRS, conservative and religious groups have sought to remove the Johnson Amendment for many years.

The order had no meaningful effect on the law, but the return of Trump to the White House, Republican control of the House and Senate, and a conservative majority on the Supreme Court have given religious groups, especially evangelical leaders, hope that the law will soon cease to be a barrier to them.