Rededicate 250 prayer event held on National Mall. See photos, video
Melina KhanThousands of people flocked to the National Mall in Washington, DC on May 17 for a massive faith event organized by President Donald Trump's administration.
Dubbed "Rededicate 250: National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving," the event was tied to the nation's 250th birthday.
It was billed as a call to "gather a broad assembly of voices united by a love of God and country," though critics argued it largely favored Christians over other faiths. Religious leaders from various Christian denominations − and one rabbi – spoke at the gathering.
A variety of political figures, including Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, greeted attendees via pre-recorded video messages, while others like House Speaker Mike Johnson and Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, spoke in person.
Here's a look at photos and videos from the event.
Trump, Johnson, more speak at national prayer event in DC. See photos
In a pre-recorded video message that played on screens at the event, Trump read a passage from the bible. In the reading, 1 Kings Chapter 9, God warns King Solomon against turning away from him as Solomon consecrates the temple in Jerusalem.
Johnson took the stage to lead a "prayer of rededication," during which he cited the Declaration of Independence and highlighted key moments in American history, from the Revolutionary War to the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks.
“Our rights do not derive from the government. They come from you: Our Creator and Heavenly Father," Johnson said.
In a video message, Rubio discussed the faith of American revolutionaries and the role of Christian missionaries who aimed to spread the Gospel through the country's western expansion.
He said that America was shaped by the idea that faith brought freedom "more than any other" nation.
"This is who we are," Rubio said. "This is who we've always been."
See more photos of attendees, speakers at Rededicate 250 prayer event
Despite the 80-degree heat, thousands of attendees waited in hours long lines spanning several blocks for the opportunity to experience the speakers and performances inside the National Mall.
The all-day festival was financed in part by taxpayer funds. The Department of the Interior allocated $100 million to Freedom 250, USA TODAY previously reported. The amount used for the Rededicate 250 event specifically has not been fully disclosed.
Contributing: Phaedra Trethan, Mike Stunson, Jay Stahl and Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.