Trump allies and Christian leaders kick off America’s 250th birthday with religious rally on National Mall

WASHINGTON — Thousands gathered on the National Mall on Sunday for a day of prayer, worship music and patriotic speeches for an event celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary that supporters hail as a public affirmation of faith in America but critics view as an exclusionary display that blurs the line between religion and politics. The event, called “Rededicate 250,” featured Trump administration officials, conservative Christian leaders and musicians. Organizers billed it as a chance to “solemnly rededicate our country as One Nation Under God.” Attendees who traveled from across the country described the gathering as a response to what they see as a decline of religious values in public life. “I believe that we’ve definitely seen a turn away, and it’s not been for the good of our country,” Minnesota resident Debra DeGuiseppi told NBC News. “There’s spiritual forces that are seeking to destroy our nation, and they’re very bold right now,” DeGuiseppi said, describing what she called a “spiritual attack” on the country. Joe Johnson, who traveled from Asheville, North Carolina, said he attended because he believes faith is foundational to the country’s future. “Without God, we’d go nowhere,” Johnson said. “We see what happens without God.” The programming featured speeches from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., plus remarks from more than a dozen Christian faith leaders and one rabbi. The event has also drawn some criticism. The Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, CEO of the Interfaith Alliance, argued it promoted a narrow view of American religious identity. “This is an opportunity for America to celebrate the diversity that is our religious heritage,” Raushenbush told NBC News on Sunday. “Unfortunately, what we’re seeing with Rededicate is actually an effort to betray that heritage that we have and instead say there is one tradition that really matters, and that is the one that they’re going to be celebrating.” President Donald Trump and his administration have increasingly embraced overt symbols of religion in public life, including Oval Office prayer circles, the Justice Department’s task force on anti-Christian bias and a since-deleted post on Trump’s social media page that depicted him as a Christ-like savior. (Trump said he thought it showed him as a doctor.) The event was hosted by Freedom 250, a Trump-backed public-private organization planning a series of events this summer ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary.