Foundation says governor violated Constitution with prayers before press conferences

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster applauds a guest while delivering his state of the state address at the South Carolina Statehouse Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

by: Matt Fortin

Posted: Sep 28, 2019 / 03:07 PM EDT

Updated: Sep 28, 2019 / 03:07 PM EDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A national organization says South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is violating the Constitution by holding prayers before press conferences.

News outlets report the Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to the governor’s office concerning two prayers earlier this month before press conferences regarding Hurricane Dorian.

Foundation attorney Ryan Jayne says the practice violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits government from favoring one religion over others.

A spokesperson for the governor, Brian Symmes, says as long as McMaster is governor and the state has to prepare for dangerous storms, there will be a chaplain saying prayers before press conferences.

The foundation also sent McMaster a letter in January concerning prayers before press conferences for Hurricane Florence last September.