Overview
- Brooke Rollins sent a department-wide Easter Sunday email to about 100,000 USDA employees that proclaimed “He is Risen” and described Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, sin and salvation.
- Ethan Roberts, a USDA employee and local union president, filed a complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel alleging an Establishment Clause violation and requesting a retraction and a halt to similar emails.
- The Freedom From Religion Foundation said nearly 30 employees contacted it about the message and it sent Rollins a demand letter urging her to stop promoting personal religious beliefs in official communications.
- The USDA defended the note as a permissible holiday greeting and Rollins later cited a 1778 George Washington order on X, while the OSC has not announced any decision.
- Several employees said the message felt coercive coming from the agency’s leader and legal scholars warned that religious speech by supervisors can pressure subordinates in government workplaces.