President Donald Trump spoke during a National Day of Prayer event, where faith leaders from numerous backgrounds gathered to honor the nation’s religious heritage.
“Today, as the American People turn to God in prayer, we continue a tradition older than our independence itself,” President Trump said. “Nearly 250 years ago, on June 12, 1775, the Continental Congress appointed a day of fasting and prayer so that Americans fighting for their liberty could seek the help of the Almighty. And when you look at that – June 12, 1775 – we have a very, very special day coming up.”
Trump further stated during his remarks, “We’re bringing religion back to our country,” adding, “Because for America to be a great nation, we must always be one nation under God, a phrase that they would like to get rid of, the radical left. But then I don’t think we’re going to let them get rid of that, right?”
Ahead of the prayer event, White House Faith Director Jenny Korn said the National Day of Prayer came to be in 1988. “What better thing to bring people together,” she said in an interview with Newsmax, “We know that when Americans come together, when leaders come together, to pray together, then we can do everything else together.”
“So what you’ll see today is about 200 faith leaders from across the country, from multi-faiths … with multi-prayers from the Christian, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim backgrounds to come together,” Korn said.
President Trump’s remarks come as he has signed executive orders tackling anti-Christian bias and preserving religious liberty.
