President Donald Trump used remarks at the 74th annual National Prayer Breakfast Thursday to reaffirm the role of faith and religion in American public life, pledging to promote what he described as the country’s spiritual heritage.
Speaking to attendees, Trump highlighted examples of individuals whose faith he said played a key role in their responses to hardship, and he called for a renewed national emphasis on religion and prayer.
“We are bringing religion back, hotter than ever before,” he declared. “You can’t be happy without that belief.”
“We are bringing God back into our lives, and we’re going to do it with purpose,” he told attendees.
The president’s comments elicited praise from supporters who view the remarks as a reaffirmation of America’s religious foundations. However, critics — including secular and civil liberties advocates — said they were concerned the remarks blurred the line between church and state.
In addition to his remarks at the breakfast, Trump reportedly outlined plans to encourage Americans to “rededicate” the nation’s commitment to faith, with supporters framing the initiative as a push for spiritual renewal.
Trump linked the spiritual revival to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, announcing a public gathering on the National Mall, called “Rededicate 250,” scheduled for May 17.
The president also noted policies aimed at protecting the right to pray in public institutions, which he said reflect his administration’s priorities.
He referred to the event as a time for Americans to unite in prayer and honor the founding principles of the nation.
“When our founders proclaimed the immortal truths that echoed around the world, they declared that all of us are made free and equal by the hand of our Creator,” he said.
Personal experiences significantly influenced Trump’s message, as noted by the South Florida Reporter.
Reflecting on his survival of assassination attempts in 2024, he credited God’s intervention. He described the experience as transformative, stating it “changed something” within him. Trump characterized his survival as both a personal and spiritual journey, viewing it as a sign of divine purpose.
He also emphasized the administration’s efforts to protect religious expression, praising Attorney General Pam Bondi’s leadership of the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias. Additionally, he referenced the new Department of Education guidance that supports prayer and religious speech in schools.
“We’ll win it,” he assured the crowd, point out his administration’s commitment to defending faith in public life.
Trump observed that a resurgence of Christianity is evident in American culture. He noted the increase in Bible sales and the growing church attendance among younger Americans. He emphasized that millennials and Generation Z are increasingly participating in religious life.
“These are signs that belief is alive and well in our country,” he said.
Trump’s remarks on global events highlighted the intersection of faith and international policy. He cited U.S. military action in Nigeria, framing the intervention as a defense of persecuted Christians.
“When Christians come under attack,” he said, “they know they’re going to be defended by this administration.”
The breakfast event also featured foreign dignitaries, including Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and Nigerian First Lady Remi Tinubu, along with performances by Christian artists, as reported by EWTN News.
The gathering highlighted stories of courage and faith, in addition to policy announcements. President Trump honored two camp counselors who were credited with saving children during a deadly flood in 2025, stating, “Prayers strengthen, prayers heal, prayer empowers, and prayer saves.”
Trump dropped a big campaign pledge in December 2023, vowing during an impassioned address to his supporters in Waterloo, Iowa, that he would end what he termed the “conflict against Christians” throughout the country.
Vowing to “end the war on Christians,” he also promised to reinvigorate religious liberty and uphold Christian principles while expressing his disapproval of the policies pursued during the Biden administration.