Utah's congressional delegation is intensifying pressure on the Pentagon after a recent update to military religious affiliation codes categorized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints separately from Christian denominations.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said Monday he spoke directly with President Donald Trump about the issue.
"I just got off the phone with President Trump," Lee wrote on social media. "We discussed the Pentagon's 'Christian list.' I won't speak for him, but I'm thrilled about where this is heading."
Lee added, "We're most fortunate that President Trump (1) loves Latter-day Saints, and (2) is our commander in chief. Stay tuned."
His comments came a day after he criticized the military's updated classification system.
"As of two days ago, the Pentagon recognizes every Christian faith in America as Christian," Lee wrote. "Except one. That's not okay, and it needs to change, now."
The controversy stems from a Department of Defense effort to streamline religious affiliation codes used by military personnel. The revised system reduces more than 200 religious categories to 31 broader classifications. While many Christian denominations were grouped under a general "Christian" category, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was listed separately as "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (CJ)."
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