Trump Addresses Religious Liberty Commission, Announces National Prayer Initiative for America’s 250th Anniversary
Speaking at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., President Trump delivered extensive remarks to faith leaders and commission members, highlighting his administration’s record on religious liberty issues and unveiling plans for America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration.
The event featured Attorney General Pamela Bondi, who introduced the President and outlined the Department of Justice’s actions on religious liberty issues, including dropping FACE Act cases against pro-life advocates and launching investigations into anti-Semitism in schools.
Hannah Allen from Honey Grove, Texas: Trump recognized a student who organized classmates to pray for an injured peer, despite school administration initially prohibiting the prayer gathering. The President announced that the Department of Education would issue new guidance protecting prayer rights in public schools.
Shay Encus, 12-year-old from California: A fifth-grade student who was required to read a book promoting gender ideology to a kindergarten student, contrary to his religious beliefs. Shay addressed the commission, describing the bullying he faced after his family objected to the curriculum.
Trump recounted a pivotal moment early in his 2016 campaign when he discovered the Johnson Amendment’s restrictions on political speech by religious leaders. The amendment, enacted during Lyndon Johnson’s presidency, threatens tax-exempt status for religious organizations that engage in political advocacy.
Trump described meeting with approximately 50 pastors and religious leaders in Trump Tower, where he encountered “stone cold silence” when asking for their support due to fears about the Johnson Amendment’s restrictions.
America Praise Prayer Initiative
Secretary Scott Turner unveiled the administration’s “America Praise” initiative, calling for one million Americans to pray weekly in groups of ten people each between now and July 4, 2026, America’s 250th birthday.
Turner emphasized the initiative’s potential impact: “Think about the miracles that would take place over the next year. Think about the transformation that you and I could witness in communities all across the land. Sons returning to their fathers, daughters returning to their mothers, families coming back together.”
More than 70 major faith organizations have already committed to participating in the prayer movement, including pray.com, Hallow, the National Religious Broadcasters, and Intercessors for America.
Trump detailed numerous policy changes implemented since taking office, including:
Educational Policies: Executive orders protecting children from what he termed “chemical and surgical mutilation,” banning men from women’s sports, establishing official U.S. policy recognizing only two genders, and slashing federal funding for schools promoting transgender policies.
Anti-Discrimination Efforts: Creation of the first Department of Justice task force to combat anti-Christian bias, civil rights investigations at over 60 colleges and universities, and a $200 million settlement with Columbia University over anti-Semitism concerns.
Religious Accommodations: Pardoning pro-life activists prosecuted under the previous administration and ending what the administration characterizes as the “weaponization of law enforcement against religious believers.”
Trump highlighted significant improvements in Washington D.C.’s safety, claiming crime has dropped by over 87% since his administration’s intervention with National Guard support. He described the capital as transitioning from “one of the most violent cities” to a “totally safe zone.”
The President also addressed recent violent incidents, including a shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis that killed two children, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to combating hate crimes and political violence against religious communities.
Trump announced his donation of the Trump family Bible, used in both his inaugurations, to the Museum of the Bible for permanent display. He also outlined plans for America’s 250th anniversary celebration, which he referred to as the “super centennial,” positioning it as potentially larger than the Olympics and World Cup.
The President noted that his administration secured both the Olympics and World Cup for the United States during his previous term, events that will now coincide with his presidency during the anniversary celebration.
Trump characterized the Biden administration as “very mean,” particularly regarding prosecutions of pro-life activists and January 6th defendants. He claimed the previous administration allowed “25 million people” into the country “from jails, from prisons, from mental institutions,” including emptying Venezuela’s prison population into the United States.
The event concluded with Secretary Turner leading a prayer for the nation, the administration, and the upcoming 250th anniversary celebration, emphasizing the commission’s goal of rededicating America as “one nation under God.”
The address represents a significant moment in the administration’s ongoing efforts to mobilize religious communities and demonstrates the central role faith-based initiatives play in Trump’s domestic policy agenda. The announcement of the national prayer initiative suggests the administration views the 250th anniversary as an opportunity to emphasize America’s religious heritage and unite faith communities across denominational lines.
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