On May 17, 2026, thousands assembled on the National Mall in Washington for an event named “Rededicate 250.” This gathering, held on Sunday, featured prayer, worship music, and patriotic speeches. Organized to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, the event aimed to reaffirm faith in America. However, critics argue it blurred the line between religion and politics.
“Rededicate 250” included appearances from Trump administration officials, conservative Christian leaders, and musicians. The organizers promoted the event as an opportunity to “solemnly rededicate our country as One Nation Under God.” Participants traveled from various parts of the United States, many viewing the event as a response to a perceived decline in religious values in public life.
“I believe that we’ve definitely seen a turn away, and it’s not been for the good of our country,” said Debra DeGuiseppi, a Minnesota resident, to NBC News. She expressed concern about what she described as a “spiritual attack” on America.
Joe Johnson from Asheville, North Carolina, added, “Without God, we’d go nowhere. We see what happens without God.”
The program included speeches from prominent figures such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. Alongside them were more than a dozen Christian faith leaders and one rabbi sharing their insights.
While some participants saw “Rededicate 250” as a crucial spiritual standpoint, others voiced criticism. Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, CEO of the Interfaith Alliance, conveyed his concerns, saying, “This is an opportunity for America to celebrate the diversity that is our religious heritage. Unfortunately, what we’re seeing with Rededicate is actually an effort to betray that heritage that we have and instead say there is one tradition that really matters, and that is the one that they’re going to be celebrating.”
A father-son duo, Hermon Barbe and his son, traveled from Michigan to attend the event.
The event illustrated President Donald Trump’s administration’s increasing embrace of religious symbols in public life. This includes Oval Office prayer circles and initiatives like the Justice Department’s task force on anti-Christian bias, as well as controversial social media posts.
“Rededicate 250” was organized by Freedom 250, a Trump-backed public-private organization. The group is planning more events this summer leading up to the nation’s 250th anniversary.