White House prayer event sparks debate over Christian nationalism in US

A large prayer gathering backed by the White House is set to take place in Washington on Sunday, with several top officials from President Donald Trump’s administration expected to participate.

Organisers say the event is aimed at reaffirming America’s religious foundations, while critics have described it as a show of Christian nationalism.

According to an AFP report, the event will feature speeches by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Trump is also expected to address the gathering through a video message.

The mass prayer meeting is being organised as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. In a video invitation to the public, Hegseth described the gathering as an opportunity to “rededicate this republic to God and country”.

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The event reflects the growing visibility of conservative Christian groups within Trump’s political base. Evangelical Christians remain among the president’s strongest supporters, and religious themes have featured prominently in several administration initiatives since Trump returned to office.

Hegseth, who belongs to a conservative evangelical church, has previously used strong Christian references while discussing US military actions, including recent tensions involving Iran.

Debate over Christian nationalism

Although religion has long played a role in American public life, critics say the scale of Sunday’s event and the direct involvement of senior government officials make it unusual.

The US Constitution prohibits the establishment of an official religion, while also protecting freedom of religious expression. Past presidents have attended faith-based events, but scholars say the current gathering represents a more visible alignment between government and conservative Christianity.

Gatherings blending nationalism and conservative Christianity are not new in the United States. However, Trump administration’s leadership role in an event of this scale marks a significant difference from previous administrations.

The organisers have said the event is open to “Americans of every background”. However, some argue that the list of speakers reflects a narrow interpretation of American identity.

According to the AFP report, most of the 20 listed religious speakers are evangelical Protestants, with only a rabbi and a retired Catholic archbishop representing other faith traditions.

Event at National Mall

The gathering will take place at the National Mall, a site historically associated with major rallies and protests, including the 1963 March on Washington where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

The programme is expected to last around nine hours.

According to the report, Paula White, head of the White House Faith Office and a longtime spiritual adviser to Trump, recently said the event was about recognising the country’s foundations in “Christian values” and “the Bible”. She described it as “truly rededicating the country to God.”