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Prime Trump administration officers, Republican lawmakers and distinguished Christian leaders gathered on the Nationwide Mall on Sunday for an enormous prayer rally celebrating America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
The occasion — “Rededicate 250: A Nationwide Jubilee of Prayer, Reward & Thanksgiving” — drew hundreds for worship music, speeches and prayers centered on reaffirming the US as “One Nation Beneath God.”
President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth, Director of Nationwide Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Home Speaker Mike Johnson all addressed the gathering, alongside quite a few different political and religion figures.
In a prerecorded message, Trump learn from 2 Chronicles 7, reciting the well-known Bible verse calling on individuals to “humble themselves” and search God.
TRUMP CALLS ON AMERICANS TO PRAY FOR NATION AS 250TH BIRTHDAY APPROACHES: ‘ONE NATION UNDER GOD’
Attendees watch a pre-recorded video of President Donald Trump studying from the Bible throughout “Rededicate 250” on the Nationwide Mall in Washington, DC, on Could 17, 2026. (Matthew Hatcher / AFP by way of Getty Pictures)
“If my individuals, that are referred to as by my title, shall humble themselves, and pray, and search my face, and switch from their depraved methods, then will I hear from heaven, and can forgive their sin, and can heal their land,” Trump stated.
Vance described the US as “a nation of prayer,” saying religion has formed the nation since earlier than its founding.
“In instances of struggling and in instances of triumph, tens of millions of People proceed to show to prayer and their religion in God,” Vance stated.
Rubio equally tied America’s identification to Christianity.
“From the start, now we have carried the assumption that our nation represents one thing new on the earth,” Rubio stated. “However the soul of our nation has all the time been rooted in an historic religion.”
Gabbard urged People to humble themselves earlier than God, saying the nation’s founders “knelt” and “requested for God’s mercy” earlier than declaring independence.
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Johnson delivered a prayer of “rededication,” thanking God for guiding the nation since its founding.
“Heavenly Father, we thanks,” Johnson stated. “Thanks a lot for this nice day that you have given us right here, and we do not forget that your mighty hand has been upon our nation because the very starting.”
Hegseth referenced George Washington’s religion, whereas Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., spoke about Christianity’s function in shaping the nation and argued prayer was central to the Civil Rights Motion.
Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King Jr., praised Trump for encouraging People to “rededicate America to God.”
“This nation was based on godly rules,” Alveda King instructed Fox Information, including that Martin Luther King Jr., “spoke to a crowd like this in 1963.”
Actor Jonathan Roumie, who portrays Jesus in “The Chosen,” additionally spoke on the occasion, encouraging People to recommit themselves to religion and prayer.
NEARLY 500 PUBLIC FIGURES FROM POLITICS TO HOLLYWOOD WILL READ BIBLE COVER TO COVER TO MARK AMERICA’S 250TH
Home Speaker Mike Johnson delivers a prayer throughout “Rededicate 250” on the Nationwide Mall in Washington, D.C., on Could 17, 2026. (Matthew Hatcher/AFP)
The occasion additionally featured appearances from Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Bishop Robert Barron, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, evangelist Franklin Graham, together with performances from Grammy-winning Christian artist Chris Tomlin, amongst others.
Many attendees wore patriotic colours as they packed the Nationwide Mall.
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Freedom 250, the nonprofit behind the occasion, stated the gathering is a part of a broader effort main as much as America’s semiquincentennial celebration on July 4, 2026.
Fox Information Digital’s Stephen Sorace and The Related Press contributed to this report.
