Overview
- Inviting Americans to gather on May 17, the president said the nation would be rededicated as “one nation under God” during a prayer event on the National Mall.
- He declared religion “back,” asserted he has done more for religion than any other president, and walked back past comments about not making it to heaven.
- From the stage, he questioned how a person of faith could vote for Democrats and insulted GOP Rep. Thomas Massie, while criticizing Joe Biden and Barack Obama.
- He addressed immigration and protest controversies, defending law-enforcement actions around a Minnesota church demonstration that led to arrests, including journalist Don Lemon.
- The speech capped a broader faith-centered push that includes a White House Faith Office and a Religious Liberty Commission, and it unfolded as Washington hosted two rival prayer breakfasts reflecting wider splits over policy and tone.