WASHINGTON (RNS) — A slate of political, military and religious leaders is scheduled to participate in a major faith-themed event on the National Mall next month, where members of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet, musical guests and a list of mostly conservative Christian speakers plan to lead participants in “solemnly rededicating our country as One Nation under God.”
The event, titled “Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee Of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving,” is part of a series of events and initiatives designed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Organized by the group Freedom 250 as part of a public-private partnership with the White House and other government bodies, the gathering roughly coincides with the anniversary of an order sent by then-General George Washington in 1776 seconding the Continental Congress’ call for a day of “fasting, humiliation and prayer.”
The speaker lineup for the Rededicate event, which is scheduled for May 17 and expected to last all day, appears to reflect the core of Trump’s base of conservative religious support: Speakers are almost entirely Christian and mostly evangelical, with some notable conservative Catholics.
According to a list provided to Religion News Service, among the major political figures on the lineup are Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Catholic, who will speak via video; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who worships in churches associated with the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches; and House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Southern Baptist. Former U.S. Secretary o …