Tax law experts reviewed videos of 20 church functions and found they are in violation of the Johnson Amendment, ProPublica and The Texas Tribune report.
The endorsement of political candidates by religious leaders from the pulpit has grown increasingly brazen, aggressive and sophisticated in recent years.
For nearly 70 years, federal law has barred churches from directly involving themselves in political campaigns, but the IRS has largely abdicated its enforcement responsibilities as churches have become more brazen about publicly backing candidates.