Thousands attended a prayer rally on the National Mall for a day dedicated to rededicating the United States as ‘One Nation under God.’ Against the backdrop of the Washington Monument, worship music emphasized the event’s Christian focus. The stage, resembling a federal building, featured arched stained-glass windows depicting the nation’s founders alongside a white cross.
Speakers celebrated Christianity’s historical ties to America, a concept some criticized as promoting Christian nationalism. President Donald Trump read from Scripture in a video shown at the rally. Filmed in the Oval Office, it was previously used during a Bible-reading event. The cited verses from 2 Chronicles are often used by those viewing America as a Christian nation. ‘If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land,’ Trump read.
Several prominent Republicans, including Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, spoke at the event marking 250 years of U.S. independence. Many participants of the Rededicate 250 program have long supported Trump, such as Paula White-Cain of the White House Faith Office and evangelist Franklin Graham.
Rev. Adam Russell Taylor, a Baptist minister leading the progressive Christian organization Sojourners, expressed concern over the event’s ideological narrowness. The lineup featured guests promoting the idea that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation, a narrative disputed by historians and diverse religious traditions.
Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, highlighted America’s religious diversity, including Jews, Muslims, and Indigenous people. ‘I want to shine a light on America’s history as a nation that welcomes, celebrates, and protects people of all faiths and those of no faith,’ Pesner stated.
Prayer event is significant for attendees
Many attendees wore Trump hats and showed patriotic spirit under the hot sun. ‘It’s all about Jesus,’ said Denny Smith, 72, of Rhode Island, who used a scooter to navigate the National Mall. Retha Bond, 58, from southern Illinois, mentioned her support for Trump and the significance of rededicating the nation back to God.
Speakers referenced late conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Young attendees like Alessandra Seawright, 15, found inspiration and community in these events. ‘I think we just need more of this in our country, and we just need to share the word of the Lord,’ she stated.
Prayer event faces protests
Pete Hegseth, known for incorporating Christian language in his Pentagon role, urged attendees in a video to pray “for our nation on bended knee.” Orthodox Jewish Rabbi Meir Soloveichik spoke against antisemitism and was the only non-Christian religious leader at the event. He serves on the Trump administration’s Religious Liberty Commission.
Freedom 250, a public-private partnership with White House backing, organized the rally. Congressional Democrats raised questions about the nonprofit’s structure, suspecting it as a Trump-aligned initiative bypassing a congressionally charted commission for semiquincentennial events.
Progressive groups, including the Freedom From Religion Foundation and Faithful America, staged counterprogramming. A large balloon resembling a Trump-like golden calf was displayed, referencing idolatry. The Interfaith Alliance projected protest slogans on the National Gallery of Art, advocating for the separation of church and state.
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