RELIGION

Trump targeting IRS rule on churches

Associated Press
Published | Updated

FILE - In this Wednesday, May 3, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump speaks during a school choice event in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. Trump plans to sign an executive order Thursday, May 4, targeting a rarely enforced IRS rule that says churches that endorse political candidates risk losing their tax-exempt status. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) (The Associated Press)

President Donald Trump speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Thursday, May 4, 2017, before signing an executive order aimed at easing an IRS rule limiting political activity for churches. From second from left are, Cardinal Donald Wuerl is the Archbishop of Washington, Pastor Jack Graham, and Paula White, senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (The Associated Press)

President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order aimed at easing an IRS rule limiting political activity for churches, Thursday, May 4, 2017, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (The Associated Press)

President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order targeting a rarely enforced IRS rule that says religious organizations and other non-profits that endorse political candidates risk losing their tax-exempt status.

The order also promises "regulatory relief" for groups with religious objections to the preventive services requirement in the Affordable Care Act. Those requirements include covering birth control and the move could apply to religious groups like the Little Sisters of the Poor, which have moral objections to paying for contraception.

Trump will sign the order as he marks the National Day of Prayer at the White House Thursday. He planned to meet Roman Catholic leaders in the Oval Office before signing the order.

.