The Trump administration is planning a prayer event on the National Mall. All but one of the speakers is Christian

Source: NPR

May 15, 2026 2:07 PM ET


(RNS) —Cabinet members, Catholic bishops, evangelical influencers, and an actor who plays Jesus are a few of the speakers and performers scheduled to participate in "Rededicate 250," the Trump administration's daylong prayer celebration happening on the National Mall this weekend.

Advertised as a "rededication of our country as One Nation Under God" and a "once in a lifetime national moment," the Sunday event is intended to reflect on the faith of America's founders and to appeal to God to bless and guide the nation.

It's an initiative of Freedom 250, a White House-backed, public-private campaign staging patriotic events to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday. Supporters welcome the event as a tribute to America's roots, while critics say the Christian-saturated, MAGA-heavy festival casts an exclusionary vision of America's past and present. Americans United for Separation of Church and State suggested the event advances Christian nationalism rather than religious freedom.

The rally has inspired both supportive and oppositional pre-events, the former led by activist and worship leader Sean Feucht, and the latter spearheaded by the Interfaith Alliance and a cadre of progressive religious leaders.

Read more: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/15/g-s1-122276/the-trump-administration-is-planning-a-prayer-event-on-the-national-mall-all-but-one-of-the-speakers-is-christian