Tags: steve hilton | irs | chuches | california

Steve Hilton to Newsmax: IRS Church Rule Change Common Sense

By    |   Wednesday, 09 July 2025 06:54 PM EDT

Recent IRS changes allowing churches to endorse political candidates without risking their tax-exempt status reflect a wave of "common-sense" reforms aimed at fighting back against the Democrat political machine, Republican Steve Hilton, a California gubernatorial candidate, told Newsmax Wednesday.

"Well, it's exactly right. It's been incredibly one-sided, as always with the Democrats," Hilton said on "The Chris Salcedo Show."

"They've been hugely partisan about this and vindictively pursuing any organization that they think they can go after, that is on the other side of the argument from them."

Hilton's remarks came in response to a question about the IRS no longer enforcing a policy that once threatened churches and houses of worship with the loss of tax-exempt status if they engaged in political endorsements. That policy stemmed from the Johnson Amendment, a 1954 provision of the U.S. tax code prohibiting tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, including churches, from formally endorsing or opposing political candidates.

In a court filing this week, the IRS agreed with plaintiffs in a lawsuit, including the National Religious Broadcasters, that churches may endorse candidates without fear of losing their tax-exempt status. The filing compared such endorsements to a "family discussion concerning candidates."

Hilton said the enforcement of the Johnson Amendment has been applied unevenly for a long time.

"They are ruthless and vicious, and it's very good to have the scales leveled up a little bit here. And why is it OK for Democrat groups to abuse their tax-exempt status to do political activity, but it's not when it's on the other side?"

"And so yet again, I think what we're seeing now is just ... implementing common-sense changes that are fair and fight back against the Democrat political machine that's had it all to itself for so long. And that's especially true here in California," he said.

Hilton, a former adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron and a longtime conservative commentator in the United States, has made challenging California's political establishment a central theme of his 2026 campaign. He often criticizes Democrat dominance in the state and argues for reforms that he says reflect the values of ordinary Americans.

GET TODAY NEWSMAX+:

NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!

Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.

You need to watch NEWSMAX today.

Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty – and many more!

Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system – Go Here Now

BEST OFFER:

Sign up for NEWSMAX+ and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.

Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials.

Even get Jon Voight’s special series and President Trump’s comedy programs and much more!

Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app.

Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!

Start your FREE trial now: NewsmaxPlus.com

Jim Thomas

Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.

© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.


Newsmax-Tv
Recent IRS changes allowing churches to endorse political candidates without risking their tax-exempt status reflect a wave of "common sense" reforms aimed at fighting back against the Democrat political machine, Republican Steve Hilton told Newsmax.
steve hilton, irs, chuches, california
495
2025-54-09
Wednesday, 09 July 2025 06:54 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
Get Newsmax Text Alerts
TOP

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
MONEYNEWS.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
NEWSMAX.COM
MONEYNEWS.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved