Donald Trump holds prayer rally to recommit US to Christian values

US President Hosts Nine-Hour Prayer Event on National Mall

A nine-hour prayer event was held on the National Mall in Washington, DC, as part of the US administration’s efforts to commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary. The event, titled “Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving,” took place from 9am to 6pm Eastern US time.

The event featured performers, pastors, civil rights leaders, and members of the Trump administration, including President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump’s video message was broadcast from the stage, in which he recited a speech from the Book of Chronicles that God gave to King Solomon, promising protection to his followers and destruction to those who forsake him.

The event also included remarks from Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who stated that “our rights don’t come from the government” but rather from God. Rubio used his video message to describe the US as a country uniquely shaped by the “Christian idea.”

Critics of the event pointed out that only one speaker, a rabbi, was non-Christian, and some religious leaders rejected it as a political stunt. Paul Raushenbush, president of the Interfaith Alliance, expressed concerns that the event blurred the separation between church and state.

The Trump administration has been accused of blurring this line, including by hosting regular prayer services at the Department of Defense. The President has also launched a task force to root out what he claims is “anti-Christian bias” in the federal government.

A recent survey from the Pew Research Center found that 17% of US adults now believe Christianity should be named as the country’s official religion, up from 13% in 2024. However, a majority of Americans still support the separation of church and state.

Source: Al Jazeera