Churches Can Now Endorse Political Candidates – It’s a Dark Money Nightmare (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

Brad sits down with David Corn, Washington Bureau Chief at Mother Jones, to unpack the IRS’s quiet but monumental decision to gut the Johnson Amendment—effectively giving churches and religious organizations the green light to endorse political candidates for the first time in nearly 70 years.

They explore how this shift could turn churches into political machines fueled by dark money, spark “pay to play” dynamics among pastors, and deepen polarization within congregations. From mega-churches pushing campaign ads to local races influenced by pulpit power, the episode dives into the far-reaching consequences for democracy, transparency, and the already fragile wall between church and state.
Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/churches-can-now-endorse-political-candidates-its-a-dark-money-nightmare/