Trump declares May 17 as day to rededicate US as ‘One Nation Under God’ with prayer on National Mall

"I am pleased to announce that on May 17th, 2026, we're inviting Americans from all across the country to come together on our National Mall to pray, give thanks, and to... rededicate America as One Nation Under God," Trump said.

https://twitter.com/tpostmillennial/status/2019473019672969265

The move from the president underscores the administration's continued effort to promote religious liberty and freedom as well as eliminating religious discrimination. Trump also announced new guidance on the protection of prayer in public schools.

"Today, I'm also pleased to announce that the Department of Education is officially issuing its new guidance to protect the right to prayer in our public schools," Trump added in his speech at the breakfast. Trump said that the move would be a "big deal" across America's public schools.

The guidance announced on Thursday from the Department of Education said that students as well as teachers and other school officials have the right to pray in school so long as it is not on behalf of the school and an expression of their personal faith.

“The Trump Administration is proud to stand with students, parents, and faculty who wish to exercise their First Amendment rights in schools across our great nation,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “Our Constitution safeguards the free exercise of religion as one of the guiding principles of our republic, and we will vigorously protect that right in America's public schools.”

https://twitter.com/tpostmillennial/status/2019454344857260453

The president highlighted other efforts he has made to protect religious freedom and Christians from discrimination during the prayer breakfast as well, including the protection of Christians in Nigeria. During last year's prayer breakfast, the president announced a task force in the DOJ assigned to "eradicate anti-Christian bias."