Thousands converge on National Mall for massive religious fest heralded by Trump
Thousands gathered on the National Mall to celebrate America's 250th birthday with a national day of prayer, as declared by President Trump. The event featured religious music and speeches from various faith leaders, emphasizing the role of faith in American history. Critics argued that the gathering undermined the separation of church and state, while supporters viewed it as a necessary recognition of the nation's religious roots.
- ▪The event was marked by prayer and speeches from leaders across different faiths.
- ▪President Trump declared May 17 a national day of prayer to rededicate America as one nation under God.
- ▪The gathering faced criticism for potentially blurring the lines between church and state.
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Politics Thousands converge on National Mall for massive religious fest heralded by Trump By Ryan King Published May 17, 2026, 3:18 p.m. ET WASHINGTON — Thousands of Americans on Sunday converged on the National Mall to mark the country’s 250th birthday with a prayer festival featuring religious music and speeches by leaders from across faiths. In February, President Trump declared May 17 a national day of prayer and a time “to rededicate America as one nation under God” in a move that energized evangelicals. “This is a recognition of the deeply embedded history and religious and moral tradition of the country,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told “Fox News Sunday” about Sunday’s massive religious gathering in DC. 5 Participants pray and listen to scripture during the event.
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