Donald Trump Wants to "Destroy" the Johnson Amendment, but What Exactly Is It?

President Donald Trump said he would "totally destroy" the Johnson Amendment as he addressed religious leaders at the National Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 2 — and the pronouncement left many people wondering exactly what that might mean.

Here are the basics: the Johnson Amendment was passed in 1954 after being proposed by then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson. Its aim? To prohibit 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations from engaging in political activities, including contributing to campaign funds and making political endorsements or denouncements. In other words, the tax law was established to help maintain the separation of church and state that has been one of America's most deeply held principles since its very founding.

According to his speech, Trump wants to completely unchain religious organizations from the restriction. "Freedom of religion is a sacred right, but it is also a right under threat all around us," Trump said at the breakfast. "That is why I will get rid of and totally destroy the Johnson Amendment and allow our representatives of faith to speak freely and without fear of retribution."

If a church is found to violate the Johnson Amendment, it is subject to a loss of tax-exempt status. Most churches fall under the 501(c)(3) nonprofit category since they are considered charitable foundations. Trump's argument is that the Johnson Amendment is a censorship of religious institutions' right to free speech.

Despite Trump's promise, experts say it's unlikely Trump could be successful in repealing the law given its bipartisan support among lawmakers who honor its Constitutional underpinnings.