NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth greeted the annual convention of the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) on Thursday by quoting from one of Christianity’s most beloved Palm Sunday hymns before delivering a passionate address tying the founding of the United States directly to the Christian faith — and positioning President Donald Trump as the champion American believers have long awaited.

Hegseth, who was greeted with cheers and music from an Army band, served as a headliner of what organizers framed as a patriotic celebration, anticipating the 250th anniversary of America’s founding later this year. After an opening prayer from a pastor who thanked God for protecting the country from “pandemics and plan-demics” — a reference to conspiracy theories about COVID-19 — and asked God to shield the United States from communists and foreign invaders, Hegseth took to the stage before a ballroom of mostly evangelical Christians.

“No matter what we have accomplished, what levels of success we may have reached, what joys or what trials are in our lives, it is to God alone that the glory belongs,” Hegseth told the assembled convention attendees.

In an address that lasted just under half an hour, Hegseth repeatedly tied the founding of the United States to the Christian faith and the Christian Bible, attacking what he called “the Godless left.” He argued that the country was built upon a “sacred covenant” with God, pointing to references to the divine in the Declaration of Independence and in the writings and speeches of early American leaders.

“As you know, there’s a direct throughline from the Old and New Testament Christian gospels to the development of Western civilization and the United States of America,” he said.

The secretary went on to list what he described as President Trump’s accomplishments on behalf of people of faith, including funding for religious charter schools, restrictions on abortion and gender-affirming care, and efforts to counter anti-Christian bias. He urged the pastors and religious broadcasters in attendance to be bold in speaking about politics and social issues — confident, he said, that God is on their side.

Hegseth said he had brought a renewed emphasis on faith back to the Pentagon since taking office, including through a monthly prayer service held during working hours. Among the speakers at those services has been Brooks Potteiger, the pastor at the church Hegseth attended in Tennessee, and Douglas Wilson, a pastor known for founding Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho.

“We do it because I need it more than anybody else,” Hegseth said of the prayer services, “a time where we pause during a very busy day to give thanks, praise and glory to God in the name of Jesus Christ.”

The secretary also said he had strengthened the military Chaplain Corps and had eliminated diversity, equity and inclusion programs and climate change initiatives from the armed forces. He declared that the military is spiritually stronger since he took office, and closed his address with a declaration that drew sustained applause from the crowd: “Christ is king.”

Hegseth was not the only senior figure to address the convention. Vince Haley, Director of the White House’s Domestic Policy Council, outlined plans for faith events celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary, including a national prayer event on May 17 aimed at rededicating the United States to God.

The convention also recalled Trump’s own appearance before the NRB in 2024, when he was still on the campaign trail. At that event, he appealed to attendees to help him save America — promising them influence in return: “If I get in, you’re going to be using that power at a level that you’ve never used before.”