Thousands of people gathered in Washington on Sunday for a “national prayer marathon” attended by several officials from the Trump administration, perceived by some as a quasi-official showcase of Christian nationalism.
This movement has gained significant traction since Donald Trump returned to power, particularly through speeches by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a member of an ultra-conservative evangelical church.
On the lawn of the National Mall, just steps away from the centers of power in the American capital, the audience sat in the sweltering heat in front of a stage adorned with stained glass windows depicting the founding of the United States, celebrating its 250 years. The program included sermons, speeches, patriotic and religious songs.
Fans in the colors of the United States, flags, and Donald Trump-themed t-shirts equipped the crowd, made up of elderly people and families with children, praying to Christian rock music, hands raised to the sky.
A brief pre-recorded video of the American president, filmed in the Oval Office where he read a passage from the Bible, was projected and applauded by the believers.
According to William Lodge, who came specifically from Michigan, President Trump will “rededicate this country to God, whom we firmly believe is the origin of our nation.”
Pastor Gary Hamrick from Virginia declared that the United States is in a “spiritual war.” He described it as a battle for the soul of America.
Earlier in the day, Pete Hegseth recounted in a video an episode from the American War of Independence, calling on the crowd to “pray without ceasing” for the United States, like the founding father George Washington.
Vicky Moon, 37, praised Mike Johnson and his representation of Christians. With a glittery USA cap on her head, she said she loved Pete Hegseth’s speech and was “happy that he is reorganizing our army to focus on Christ.”
Wyatt Biagini, 21, from Florida, called it a “historic moment” and a “really important event for our country.”
Organizers distributed bags imprinted with “religious liberty 250”, containing the Ten Commandments and a book titled “The Fall and Rebirth of Jerusalem.”
The Trump administration promotes an American identity rooted in white Christianity or European origins, noted Sam Perry, a professor specializing in rhetoric at Baylor University in Texas.
However, neither the Declaration of Independence nor the Constitution mention religion, God, or Jesus, stated Julie Ingersoll, a religious studies professor at Florida State University.
Perry believes that the event reflects the promotion of a political movement using religion to justify certain positions, particularly anti-immigration.
Critics who coined the term “Christian nationalism” as derogatory and disparaging are trying to silence the influence and voices of Christians, responded Mike Johnson on Fox News.
Among the guests were former Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan, very conservative in his views, Baptist pastor from Texas Robert Jeffress, a close ally of President Trump, and evangelical pastor Samuel Rodriguez, who read a prayer at his first inauguration in 2017.
All of them are Christians, mostly evangelical Protestants, with the exception of Orthodox Rabbi Meir Soloveichik.
