Hobby Lobby is having a particularly scandalous year.
But even before the arts-and-crafts chain made headlines for endangering employees during the coronavirus outbreak or prompting a boycott over a pro-Trump store display, the company — led by conservative Christian David Green and his family — has long been the subject of controversy.
Since Green first founded Hobby Lobby in Oklahoma in 1972, the billionaire businessman has drawn ire for imbuing his religious beliefs into the company and its 900 stores. Unlike most retail executives, who adhere to a strict separation of church and state policy, Green regularly references God in company memos, including Hobby Lobby's commitment to "honoring the Lord in all we do by operating the company in a manner consistent with Biblical principles."
Over the years, Green and his evangelical leanings have served as the catalyst for a number of disputes, including claims of anti-Semitism, homophobia, and evangelizing in public schools. In its most prominent incident, Hobby Lobby faced widespread scrutiny for its efforts to deny access to contraceptives for employees, culminating in a high-profile and divisive Supreme Court case.
We took a closer look at Hobby Lobby's scandals over the years, from claims of discrimination and illegally smuggled artifacts to endangering employees during the coronavirus pandemic.