Trump-backed faith event features conservative Christians as critics decry blurring of church-state lines
A Trump-backed religious event titled 'Rededicate 250' featured conservative Christian leaders and government officials, drawing criticism for blurring the separation between church and state. Critics argue the event excluded diverse religious groups and promoted Christian nationalism, despite the U.S.'s religiously plural population. The gathering is part of a broader series of government-supported 250th-anniversary celebrations emphasizing a faith-based narrative of American history.
- ▪The 'Rededicate 250' event was organized by Freedom 250, a White House-created partnership, and held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
- ▪Speakers were predominantly from evangelical Christian and conservative Catholic backgrounds, with no representation from Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or mainline Protestant groups.
- ▪Critics, including the Freedom From Religion Foundation and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, condemned the event as promoting Christian nationalism and violating constitutional principles of religious neutrality.
- ▪President Donald Trump was scheduled to deliver a video message, and Republican officials such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and House Speaker Mike Johnson spoke at the event.
- ▪The event framed the U.S. as 'One Nation under God' and drew comparisons to 18th-century religious revivals, while overlooking historical issues like slavery and Indigenous displacement.
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Trump-backed faith event features conservative Christians as critics decry blurring of church-state linesSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPublished May 17, 2026, 06:18 PMUpdated May 17, 2026, 06:18 PMWASHINGTON, May 17 - A Trump administration-backed celebration of U.S. religious heritage on Sunday is highlighting conservative Christian leaders' ties to the president as critics say the gathering does not reflect the country's diverse faith landscape.The nine-hour program, called "Rededicate 250: National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving," mostly features speakers from two Christian traditions — evangelical Christianity and conservative Catholicism.President Donald Trump is scheduled to appear in a video message while senior Republicans including Defense…
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