The National Mall in Washington hosted a significant prayer rally Sunday, drawing thousands of attendees. The rally aimed to “rededicate our country as One Nation under God.” With the Washington Monument as a backdrop, worship music emphasized the rally’s Christian focus. The stage featured arched stained-glass windows, highlighting the nation’s founders alongside a white cross.
Many speakers celebrated the connection between Christianity and American history. Critics, however, voiced concerns about the event promoting Christian nationalism. A recorded message from President Donald Trump featured scripture readings from 2 Chronicles, often associated with America’s perceived origins as a Christian nation. Trump stated, “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.”
Attendees held a “Jesus Make America Godly Again” flag during the celebration titled Rededicate 250: National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving. Prominent Republicans, including Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, participated, marking 250 years of U.S. independence.
Most program participants were Trump’s evangelical supporters, such as Paula White-Cain from the White House Faith Office and Franklin Graham from Samaritan’s Purse. Only one non-Christian, Orthodox Jewish Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, was listed in the program. The Rev. Adam Russell Taylor from Sojourners expressed concern over a narrow interpretation of faith, stating, “We are deeply concerned that what is really being rededicated is a nation to a very narrow and ideological part of the Christian faith that betrays our nation’s fundamental commitment to religious freedom.”
Critics noted the celebration’s emphasis on portraying the United States as a Christian nation, a view contested by numerous historians and religious groups. Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism highlighted America’s religious diversity, including Jews, Muslims, and Indigenous communities. Pesner remarked, “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.”
Participants wore patriotic colors, taking part in the festivities under warm weather conditions. Denny Smith from Rhode Island exclaimed, “It’s all about Jesus,” while traversing the area on a motorized scooter. Retha Bond from Illinois, a firm Trump supporter, stressed the rally’s significance, “This is one of the most important things that could be going on in the world, for us to rededicate our nation back to God.”
Rabbi Meir Soloveichik told the crowd, “Antisemitism is utterly un-American,” addressing debates within the political right. Soloveichik, alongside White-Cain, Graham, and Catholic leaders Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Bishop Robert Barron, represents the Trump administration’s Religious Liberty Commission. Reference to late activist Charlie Kirk inspired young attendee Alessandra Seawright from New Mexico, who said, “We love going to events like this.”
The event, organized by Freedom 250, sparked responses from progressive groups like the Freedom From Religion Foundation, advocating for strict church-state separation. They displayed a large balloon resembling a Trump-like golden calf, referencing biblical idolatry. The Interfaith Alliance projected protest slogans on the National Gallery of Art, promoting religious diversity.
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