Army National Guard officer sues over alleged ‘No Christians in Command’ policy
February 11, 2025
An Army National Guard soldier has filed a lawsuit against Idaho Gov. Brad Little and two senior military officials stating that he was unlawfully removed from his command because of his Christian beliefs.
The Christian Post reports that the religious liberty legal organization Liberty Counsel filed the federal lawsuit on behalf of Major David Worley on Jan. 17.
The complaint states that the Idaho Army National Guard was urged to implement a “no Christians in command” policy that was intended to identify “extremists” within the ranks of potential command candidates.
According to the lawsuit, the effort was to seek out “concerning information” about alleged “extremists” by looking at their social media profiles to identify whether or not the candidates held “concerning ideologies.”
Worley was allegedly removed from leadership “for the mere exercise and expression of his religious views” despite an official investigation finding no wrongdoing on his part.
The suit names as defendants Republican Gov. Brad Little, Adjutant General of the Idaho National Guard Major General Timothy J. Donnellan and Assistant Adjutant General for the Idaho Army National Guard Brigadier General James C. Packwood.
According to the Christian Post, the issue arose when Worley, who is an infantry officer, ran for mayor of Pocatello, Idaho in 2023.
During his campaign, Worley expressed his religious convictions as well as concern over explicit materials in public libraries, medical interventions for children with gender confusion and “drag queen story hour” events.
A subordinate service member who is homosexual, filed a formal complaint against Worley following his campaign and the Idaho Army National Guard suspended Worley from command in July 2023.
Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver stated, “Governor Brad Little must ensure that the Idaho Army National Guard upholds federal and state law and protects the free speech of its service members. This discrimination against Major Worley must stop and his record must be cleared and his career restored.”
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