Trump’s Prayer Event Shakes Secular America

President Trump has announced a massive National Mall prayer gathering for May 17, 2026, pledging to rededicate America as “One Nation Under God” in a historic event that signals a dramatic reversal of secular left policies that sought to erase faith from public life.

Story Snapshot

Trump announces May 17 National Mall prayer event during February National Prayer Breakfast speech
President proclaims 2026 as “Year of Celebration and Rededication” tied to America’s 250th anniversary
White House champions religious liberty victories including church protections and antisemitism probes
Critics attack administration’s faith-focused agenda as “Christian nationalism” threatening secularism

Trump Unveils Historic Prayer Gathering

President Trump revealed plans during his February 5, 2026, National Prayer Breakfast speech for a massive prayer event on the National Mall scheduled for May 17. The announcement positions the gathering as a pivotal moment in America’s semiquincentennial celebration, where citizens will collectively rededicate the nation to its founding principles rooted in divine providence. Trump framed the event as essential to restoring America’s spiritual foundation after years of leftist attempts to drive faith from the public square, declaring “prayer is America’s superpower.”

Semiquincentennial Proclamation Anchors 2026 Vision

On January 29, 2026, Trump signed an official proclamation designating the entire year as a “Year of Celebration and Rededication” honoring the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The proclamation explicitly calls Americans to rededicate themselves “as one Nation under God,” echoing language from the Pledge of Allegiance added in 1954 during the Cold War. This framework connects the May prayer event to broader commemorations throughout 2026, inviting citizens to hold ceremonies in homes, churches, and communities nationwide while reflecting on founding principles like “endowed by their Creator.”

Religious Liberty Victories Mount Under Trump

The White House has aggressively promoted religious freedom achievements in early 2026, including arrests of activists who stormed churches and new school prayer guidance reversing Biden-era restrictions. Officials tout protections for parental rights through the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and investigations into antisemitism on college campuses as evidence of restoring “God-given rights” after what they characterize as Democrat weaponization of government against faith communities. Attorney General Pam Bondi has pushed intelligence agencies to support these enforcement efforts, signaling a whole-of-government approach to safeguarding religious expression conservatives believe was under attack for years.

Secular Groups Denounce Faith-Based Agenda

Americans United for Separation of Church and State President Rachel Laser condemned Trump’s rhetoric as a “Christian Nationalist agenda” undermining constitutional separation of church and state. The organization has filed lawsuits challenging the administration’s school prayer guidance and continues fighting claims Trump falsely made about repealing the Johnson Amendment, which remains intact despite presidential assertions otherwise. These critics argue executive-driven religious proclamations set dangerous precedents for government entanglement with faith, though supporters counter that honoring America’s spiritual heritage simply restores founding values progressives systematically dismantled through decades of secular overreach and judicial activism.

The May 17 event represents a defining moment for Trump’s second term, galvanizing his evangelical base while drawing sharp opposition from secularists who fear coercion. The administration views 2026 as an opportunity to cement faith-infused patriotism into America’s semiquincentennial legacy, contrasting starkly with Biden-era policies that conservatives believe marginalized religious Americans and attacked traditional values. Whether this rededication becomes a unifying national moment or deepens cultural polarization remains uncertain, but Trump’s commitment to placing faith at the center of America’s 250th celebration signals no retreat from confronting the left’s war on religion.