Trump Administration Officials Deliver Video Messages at Christian Prayer Event on National Mall

Crowds gathered on the National Mall on Sunday for a prayer event organized by Freedom 250, a group working with the White House on the commemoration of America's 250th anniversary this summer. The program included praise and worship songs, prayers by religious leaders, and video messages from administration officials.

Organizers described the gathering as an opportunity to give thanks for God's providence, reflect on the nation's story, and rededicate America as one nation under God. Of the 19 faith leaders scheduled to speak, 18 were Christian and most were evangelical.

White House faith office senior adviser Paula White-Cain, the Rev. Franklin Graham, and Bishop Robert Barron were among those who participated. Rabbi Meir Soloveichik of Congregation Shearith Israel in New York City was the only non-Christian speaker.

President Trump, who was golfing that afternoon, did not attend in person. He delivered a video message that included a reading of Biblical scripture from 2 Chronicles 7:11-22. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio also contributed video messages.

House Speaker Mike Johnson led the crowd in a prayer asking for courage to preserve the republic and stating that rights come from the Creator. Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and Grammy-winning musician Chris Tomlin also appeared at the event.

Alliance projected messages supporting religious freedom onto the National Gallery of Art on Thursday night. The group described the National Mall gathering as an attempt to turn the United States into an authoritarian theocracy. Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said the event was less a jubilee of prayer than a jubilee of Christian nationalism and that it threatened the principle of church-state separation.