Trump, top officials and faith leaders headline historic ‘Rededicate 250’ rally on National Mall

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard addressed the “Rededicate 250” rally Sunday in a prerecorded video message, calling on Americans to humble themselves before God.

Gabbard reflected on how America’s founders “didn’t stride forward in pride” but instead “knelt” and “asked for God’s mercy” just weeks before declaring independence.

“They asked for his guidance because they knew that the cause before them was beyond their own strength," Gabbard said. “Now, today, exactly 250 years later, we gather here on the National Mall to do the same, to give thanks, to ask for forgiveness, and to humbly ask once more for God's mercy and guidance as we enter the next 250 years of this Republic."

Gabbard also said leaders too often see themselves as “the controllers.”

“We lose sight of the fact that we are tiny, and our time on this planet is extremely short, and yet we see ourselves as the controllers competing with each other over who is number one,” she said. “But the truth is, there's only one number one, and that's God.”

Vice President JD Vance said Sunday that America has “always been” and remains a “nation of prayer” during remarks at the “Rededicate 250” celebration in Washington, D.C.

Vance pointed to George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving proclamation and argued that faith has been part of America’s identity since before the nation’s founding.

“The duty Washington describes to honor, obey, and give thanks to our creator was woven into America's character long before the founding,” Vance said. “… We have always been and still are a nation of prayer. And thank God for that. In times of suffering and in times of triumph, millions of Americans continue to turn to prayer and their faith in God.”

Vance also quoted the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk while arguing America’s moral foundation is rooted in religion.

“As my dear friend, the late, great Charlie Kirk put it, all law reflects a morality. Neither law nor morality appears in a vacuum, but ultimately come from religion."

The vice president also praised what he described as a growing return to faith among young Americans, saying many are seeking “meaning,” “direction” and “closeness with God.”

“That should give all of us hope for our future together as Americans,” Vance said. "It certainly gives me hope, as your vice president, because prayer is not merely something we do in times of crisis." 

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., delivered a prayer of “rededication” on Sunday at the “Rededicate 250” rally in Washington.

“Heavenly Father, we thank you," Johnson said. "Thank you so much for this great day that you've given us here, and we remember that your mighty hand has been upon our nation since the very beginning."

Johnson reflected on the Revolutionary War and the founding of the U.S., noting that the Second Continental Congress held a day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer” before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

"Just weeks later, Lord, on July 4th, 1776, you gave 56 patriots the courage and the conviction to sign their names to the Declaration of Independence, forming 13 distinct and disparate colonies into a new nation which would become, by your mercy and grace, the freest, most successful, most benevolent nation in the history of the world,” he said.

Johnson also praised America's founding principles.

“Our founders acknowledged and boldly proclaimed the self-evident truth that every single person is created in your image, and that we are endowed by you, our creator, with our unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Alveda King, the niece of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., on Sunday praised President Donald Trump’s “Rededicate 250” rally.

In an interview with Fox News, Alveda King said she was grateful Trump invited Americans to “rededicate America to God.”

"This nation was founded on godly principles," Alveda King said, adding that her uncle, Martin Luther King Jr., “spoke to a crowd like this in 1963.”

Alveda King said her uncle would remind Americans that “we are one blood” and that people of all races “can learn to live together as brothers and sisters.”

She also pushed back on the idea of a strict separation between church and state.

“It's never a good idea to try to leave God out of anything,” Alveda King said.

She added, “It's time for us all to repent, to go to God and say we got it wrong, help us get it right, and begin to see each other.”

Cissie Graham Lynch said Sunday that America “especially” needs God now, arguing the nation’s strength comes from faith and prayer.

Lynch — the daughter of Franklin Graham and granddaughter of evangelist Billy Graham — said America’s foundation is rooted in the belief that “we need God.”

“For 250 years, this nation has returned again and again to the God who created this beautiful country that we get to call home. We do this not because we're perfect people. We're not, but woven into the fabric of America is a deep and persistent belief that we cannot persevere on our own, that we need God,” Lynch said.

Lynch also reiterated her grandfather’s message following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"Just moments ago, we reflected on God's presence through the tragedy of 911, and I believe we need to be reminded once more of what my grandfather told this country during those painful days. He said we needed God at the very beginning of this nation, and today we especially need him. It was true then, and it's increasingly true today," she said.

Lynch argued America’s “true source of strength” is found “when we humble ourselves before God.”

"Today, 250 years into this American story, the same call comes to us," she said. "The question is not whether God will be faithful to America. He has. The question is, will we be faithful to him?"

Actor Jonathan Roumie spoke at the “Rededicate 250” rally on the National Mall Sunday, urging Americans to recommit to faith and the idea of being “one nation under God.”

Roumie, best known for portraying Jesus in “The Chosen” and for his work with the Hallow Christian prayer app, said prayer has been central to both his life and America’s identity.

“At the center of faith lies prayer,” Roumie said. “… Prayer is a kind of heavenly cargo shuttle, lifting our wants, our needs, and our gratitude toward heaven, open to anybody and everybody, willing to humble themselves at the feet of their creator, faithful and fallen alike."

Reflecting on portraying Jesus over the last eight years, Roumie said faith is essential to playing the role.

“Because if God hands you the assignment of portraying on a global stage his own son, the Savior of the world … and you do not have faith, Lord help you,” he said.

Roumie closed out his remarks by calling on Americans to rededicate themselves to God.

“For 250 years we have endeavored to be one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. May we be that nation once more,” he said. “May we rededicate ourselves to all that the Lord is calling us to these next 250 years. And may we, the citizens of the United States of America, never cease praying for our leaders, for each other, for our nation, and for the world.”

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., on Sunday delivered a powerful speech centered on faith, praising Christianity’s role in shaping America and arguing that prayer was a driving force behind the Civil Rights Movement.

“I stand before you as living proof that prayer, the power of prayer, changes lives," Scott said. "It's prayer that inspires our nation. It's prayer that transforms our world. There is no way to grasp the last 250 years of America without looking to the power of prayer."

Scott said Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream was rooted in faith.

"Doctor King did not lead from merely a podium. He led from the pulpit. His dream was not a political speech. It was a sermon," he said.

The South Carolina Republican also argued the Civil Rights Movement was powered by the church and prayer, saying activists “prayed before they protested.”

“The Civil Rights movement succeeded not simply because of lobbying in the halls of Congress," Scott said. "It succeeded because the church found itself on its knees before a gracious, loving, amazing God." 

Thousands of people on Sunday streamed onto the National Mall for a daylong prayer rally filled with worship music and speakers ranging from Christian leaders to administration officials.

Long lines stretched in the nation’s capital despite the hot and humid weather as people made their way into the event.

The stage design included arched stained-glass windows, set underneath grand columns resembling a federal building, depicted the nation's founders alongside a white cross.

President Donald Trump was among the speakers expected to address the gathering in a video message later Sunday.

Fox News Digital's Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth retold a story of George Washington at Valley Forge during the Rededicate 250 event on Sunday.

Hegseth, appearing in a prerecorded video message, said Washington and his troops faced cold and starvation as the future of American independence appeared grim when they took refuge at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777.

As men began to desert, Washington wrote to Congress asking for help, writing that the army may starve, dissolve or disperse, according to Hegseth. But Congress could offer little help at that time.

Even Washington’s pastor had lost faith, according to Hegseth, writing to the general that he should surrender and ask forgiveness from the British king.

“But George Washington did not lose faith,” Hegseth said. "We know the painting of him at Valley Forge. One hangs in my office. Kneeling in the deep snow, his hat and sword nearby, Washington bows his head amid all the bleak nights, the loss and despair, the lack of proper support, George Washington performed a profound act. He prayed.”

Hegseth called on those in attendance to follow George Washington’s example.

“Let us pray as he did. Let us pray without ceasing. Let us pray for our nation on bended knee. And let us ask our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as Washington did on that momentous day,” Hegseth said.

American Evangelical Christian leader Samuel Rodriguez led the “Rededicate 250” event with opening remarks and prayer on Sunday.

“Father, we come before you today not merely to remember, but to rededicate, not just to reflect on history, but to realign our future,” Rodriguez said.

“We recognize that there is a battle in America,” Rodriguez said. “Yet the battle is not primarily between the donkey and the elephant. The battle is between the serpent and the lamb. And your word reminds us in Colossians 2:15 that the lamb already defeated the serpent. And because you are the God of righteousness, justice, truth, and love, we proclaim by faith and the most powerful spirit in America.

“It's not the spirit of Jezebel,” he continued. “It's not the spirit of Pharaoh. It's not the spirit of Goliath. It's not the spirit of Nebuchadnezzar. It's not the spirit of Herod. The most powerful spirit in America is still the Holy Spirit of Almighty God. I submit this and pray this in the holy, righteous, triumphant name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.”

President Donald Trump took to social media on Sunday morning to wish all those attending a prayer gathering at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., “a good time.”

Trump also offered to lend his help to the event, writing that Rachael Campos-Duffy, “FOX & Friends Weekend co-host, should call him if there’s anything he can do.

“I HOPE EVERYBODY AT REDEDICATE 250 IS HAVING A GOOD TIME,” the president’s post read. “IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP, JUST HAVE OUR BEAUTIFUL, BOTH INSIDE AND OUT, RACHAEL C.D., GIVE ME A CALL. I’M BACK FROM CHINA!!!”

Trump returned from his high-stakes summit in China with President Xi Jinping touting trade progress and warmer ties on Friday, though several of the biggest pressure points in the U.S.-China relationship — from trade and Taiwan, to AI and human rights — appeared to end without firm public breakthroughs.

"We had a great stay. It was an amazing period of time. President Xi’s an incredible guy. We’ve made a lot of great trade deals," Trump said Friday aboard Air Force One while returning to the White House.

Fox News Digital’s Ashley J. DiMella contributed to this report.

President Donald Trump will join top administration officials, Republican leaders and prominent Christian pastors on the National Mall this weekend for a massive prayer gathering marking America’s 250th anniversary.

Organizers of the event, called Rededicate 250, expect thousands to attend Sunday’s celebration, which will feature worship music, speeches and prayers centered on renewing the nation as “One Nation Under God.”

Several administration figures including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and House Speaker Mike Johnson are scheduled to address the crowd, along with Dr. Ben Carson, a neurosurgeon and Trump former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

The lineup also features some of Trump’s most prominent faith allies, including evangelist Franklin Graham, White House Faith Office leader Paula White-Cain, Pastor Robert Jeffress and National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference President Samuel Rodriguez.

Catholic leaders Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Bishop Robert Barron are also set to participate, along with Orthodox Jewish Rabbi Meir Soloveichik.

The event will include performances from Grammy-winning Christian artist Chris Tomlin and other worship musicians.

Freedom 250, the nonprofit organizing the event, says the gathering is part of a broader effort leading up to the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration on July 4, 2026.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.