Trump Hosts Historic Prayer Event to Reaffirm U.S. as 'One Nation Under God'

The Trump administration organized a nine-hour prayer event on the National Mall in Washington, DC, to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. The gathering, titled "Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving," ran from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time. Organizers stated their goal was to rededicate the nation as "One Nation under God." The event included performances, speeches by pastors, civil rights leaders, and Republican allies such as Senator Tim Scott, who emphasized that rights come from God rather than government.

President Trump and other administration officials delivered video messages during the event. Trump read a biblical passage from the Book of Chronicles, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the U.S. as uniquely shaped by the "Christian idea," contrasting it with other ancient societies that viewed history as cyclical. The event faced criticism for its lack of religious diversity, with only one non-Christian speaker, a rabbi, participating.

Religious leaders like Paul Raushenbush of the Interfaith Alliance called the event a political stunt that betrayed America's founding values, particularly the First Amendment's guarantee of religious freedom and the separation of church and state. Critics argue the Trump administration has blurred this boundary, citing regular prayer services at the Department of Defense. Trump has countered by accusing the federal government of "anti-Christian bias" and launching a task force to address it.

Evangelical Christians are a key part of Trump's political base, and their influence may impact constitutional interpretation. A recent Pew Research Center survey found 17% of U.S. adults now support naming Christianity as the official religion, up from 13% in 2024. However, 54% still favor church-state separation, and 52% believe conservative Christians have overstepped in pushing religious values in government and schools.