OAN Staff Addie Davis
10:33 AM – Sunday, May 17, 2026
Key officials in the Trump administration are expected to speak at the “Rededicate 250” prayer event located at the National Mall in Washington D.C. as part of the ongoing celebrations of America’s 250th birthday.
July 4, 2026, marks 250 years of American independence, and President Donald Trump has encouraged nationwide, ongoing celebrations for the momentous occasion, and the Freedom 250 initiative serves this purpose. Hosted under the initiative, the all-day Sunday event described itself as “a national jubilee of prayer, praise and thanksgiving.”
Trending: Democrats’ Top Five Positions That Clash with Biblical Values
Trump, who recently returned from a multi-day summit in China, took to Truth Social to highlight the event and offer his assistance.
“I HOPE EVERYBODY AT REDEDICATE 250 IS HAVING A GOOD TIME. IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP, JUST HAVE OUR BEAUTIFUL, BOTH INSIDE AND OUT, RACHAEL C.D., GIVE ME A CALL. I’M BACK FROM CHINA!!!” the president said on Sunday.
According to NewsNation, Trump is expected to address the crowd at the event through video. Other speakers also are using pre-recorded videos to give their remarks.
Many Republican leaders are set to speak at the event, per the website’s speaker list, including:
- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.)
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Secretary of War Pete Hegseth
- Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and others
Vice President JD Vance is also reportedly expected to address the crowd.
In a pre-recorded message played at the event, Hegseth referenced George Washington’s example of prayer, according to Fox News.
“Let us pray as he did. Let us pray without ceasing. Let us pray for our nation on bended knee. And let us ask our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as Washington did on that momentous day,” the secretary of war said.
Besides politicians, a number of faith leaders are scheduled for the event, which include:
- Franklin Graham, the president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and the son of the famous evangelist Billy Graham
- Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the former archbishop of New York and the former president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Rabbi Meir Soloveichik of Congregation Shearith Israel in New York City
- Gordon P. Robertson, the chancellor of Regent University and president of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) and many other speakers
Other speakers include actor Jonathan Roumie, who played Jesus in the popular show “The Chosen” depicting the life and ministry of Jesus, and Dr. Alveda C. King, the founder of Speak for Life and the niece of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and the United States Navy Band are also scheduled for the event, as well as other performers, including the Grammy-winning contemporary Christian artist Chris Tomlin.
The event listed three pillars as the focus for the day, which are a recognition of God’s presence in the past, present and future of the nation. It called for “a collective expression of gratitude for 250 years of freedom — and a unified moment of rededication asking for God’s blessing, guidance, and grace for the next 250.”
“On Sunday, May 17, 2026, the National Mall will be the scene of a historic gathering as Americans of every background across the country prepare for the nation’s 250th birthday with Scripture, testimony, prayer, and rededication of our country as One Nation to God,” the Freedom 250 website stated.
“Rededicate 250 will be rooted in giving thanks for God’s presence in our national life throughout 250 years of American history and asking for his guidance for the next 250,” it continued.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news alerts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
What do YOU think? Click here to jump to the comments!
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!