Several top Trump administration officials are scheduled to appear at a Washington, D.C., religious rally that critics and scholars of Christian nationalism say promotes Christian nationalist ideology.
The event, called Rededicate 250, is being held on the National Mall as part of programming tied to the United States’ upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations. Scheduled speakers include Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
The gathering is organized by Freedom 250, a nonprofit connected to broader anniversary celebrations that has drawn scrutiny from congressional Democrats over its structure and financing. Critics argue the event blurs the line between church and state while elevating a narrow interpretation of Christianity in public life.
Religious leaders scheduled to participate include several longtime Trump allies and conservative Christian figures, including evangelist Franklin Graham, televangelist Paula White-Cain and Georgia pastor Jentezen Franklin.
Franklin has previously described homosexuality as a “demonic sexual addiction” in his 2008 book “Fasting.” In another book published in 2013, Franklin wrote that American cities had become “homosexual strongholds” alongside abortion, crime and drug “strongholds.”
Another featured speaker, Detroit pastor Lorenzo Sewell, has publicly criticized LGBTQ+ identities and Democratic political leaders. Sewell told The Guardian, “You can’t honor God and be a Democrat,” while also questioning whether someone could “honor God” while believing sexuality “can be changed.”
The event has also attracted criticism because of Hegseth’s ties to Christian nationalist movements and leaders. Hegseth attends a Tennessee church affiliated with the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, a denomination founded by Douglas Wilson, a pastor known for opposing marriage equality and promoting patriarchal religious teachings.
According to NBC Washington, promotional videos for the event frame the gathering as a national spiritual rededication. In one video, Hegseth says, “Our rights don’t come from government, they come from God. And a nation is only as strong as its faith.”
Other promotional material for “Rededicate 250” features crosses, worship scenes and American imagery alongside speeches about faith and national identity. Organizers say the event will include worship music, prayer services and speeches from elected officials and clergy. Critics argue the rally promotes a vision of the United States that excludes much of the country’s religious and political diversity.
“What should be a broadly unifying celebration has been politically hijacked and wrapped up in this MAGA narrative that tries to rewrite our history and promote the president’s agenda,” U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman told NBC Washington.
Advocacy groups supporting church-state separation have also condemned the event. Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, called it “the government putting on a Christian nationalist event.”
The event comes amid ongoing debates over the role of religion in government and the increasing visibility of Christian nationalist language within conservative politics.