The Department of Labor held its first employee prayer service in its headquarters auditorium, a voluntary event that included readings, hymns and remarks by Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. Rabbi Yaakov Menken’s speech drew criticism from some attendees, who said his remarks disparaged gay marriage, transgender people and gender pronouns; Menken said he was defending religious liberty. The department called the event nondenominational and optional, while legal experts warned such gatherings can raise Establishment Clause concerns if they become coercive or government-endorsed.
Labor Department Holds First-Ever Employee Prayer Service, Sparking Workplace and Constitutional Concerns
The Frances Perkins Department of Labor building in Washington, DC, is seen on August 4, 2025. - Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/File
The Department of Labor this week held its first-ever employee prayer service in the agency’s headquarters auditorium, an event intended to be nondenominational and voluntary that nonetheless prompted surprise and strong reactions from some attendees.
What Happened
The service took place Wednesday morning on the department’s largest stage, which bears the agency logo. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer spoke and said she was inspired to host the event by Pete Hegseth, a figure who previously organized similar gatherings at the Pentagon. The program included scripture readings, the Lord’s Prayer, the hymn "Amazing Grace," and remarks acknowledging Advent and Hanukkah.
Controversial Remarks and Employee Reaction
Rabbi Yaakov Menken, described in reporting as a right-wing Orthodox rabbi, delivered a speech that two employees who spoke to reporters on background said criticized gay marriage, transgender people and the use of gender pronouns. One employee said they were "not prepared for the unnecessary cruelty," and another, who identified as an out queer person, said they felt "appalled." Several employees told reporters they were unsettled by the tone and questioned whether a religious event during work hours and in a federal building was appropriate.
I was not prepared for the unnecessary cruelty. — Attendee
Responses From Organizers and Officials
In a phone interview, Menken rejected characterizations of his remarks as hateful, saying he was advocating for religious liberty in the workplace and opposing employer requirements that he believes would force people to act against their beliefs. A Department of Labor spokesperson, Courtney Parella, emphasized the department’s position that the service was nondenominational and voluntary, with employee participation optional and work schedules unaffected.
Legal And Institutional Context
Legal experts have raised questions about whether such events risk violating the Establishment Clause if they become coercive or appear to be government-endorsed worship. George Washington University law professor Ira Lupu told reporters that an agency meeting opening with a prayer does not automatically violate the Constitution, but a full-fledged worship service led by clergy and promoted by leadership could present serious Establishment Clause concerns and potentially alienate staff.
The service also comes amid broader federal guidance changes: in July the Office of Personnel Management issued a memorandum clarifying federal workers’ ability to express religious beliefs at work, display religious items, and pray together or individually. Earlier this year the Pentagon held recurring Christian prayer services in its auditorium that drew similar First Amendment scrutiny when promoted with the department’s branding.
Context From Long-Serving Employees
One long-serving Labor Department employee who spoke to reporters said previous secretaries, including Marty Walsh and Eugene Scalia, did not organize official religious ceremonies and that the department historically maintained a clear separation between workplace activities and sanctioned religious observance. The employee said they have worked under multiple administrations and were surprised by leadership’s decision to promote a departmental prayer service.
As the story develops, officials and employees will likely watch for whether future events follow the same format and whether the department takes additional steps to ensure that participation remains genuinely optional and inclusive of diverse faiths and beliefs.
