Trump emphasizes religious liberty in prayer breakfast speech

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President Donald Trump Associated Press / Photo by Evan Vucci

Trump emphasizes religious liberty in prayer breakfast speech

Update, 11:10 a.m.:

Shortly after speaking to lawmakers in the Capitol on Thursday, Trump headed over to the Washington Hilton. There, the president delivered additional remarks to a larger audience. He told the audience Americans needed to bring religion back “stronger, bigger, better than ever.” He said that religious activities had suffered in recent years.

Trump described himself as a believer like many at the non-denominational event, and that it was good for the United States to have a believer in the Oval Office. Trump said after he left office he hoped to be remembered as a peacemaker. He promised to always protect religious liberty and to specifically fight against anti-Christian discrimination.

Original post, 8:50 a.m.:

President speaks at National Prayer Breakfast

President Donald Trump on Thursday spoke to members of Congress and other state leaders gathered at the prayer breakfast. Sens. Maggie Hasan, D-N.H., and Rober Marshall, R-Kan., are serving as the honorary co-chairs for the breakfast this year, according to the National Prayer Breakfast Foundation.

What did Trump say in his remarks? He said the United States would always be one nation under God. Trump also quoted the words of Galatians 6:9: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” He also recalled the attempt on his life last summer, saying it could only have been the hand of God that saved him. Trump added that he didn’t see how people could be happy without religion in their lives.

What’s the purpose of the National Prayer Breakfast? The breakfast aims to bring together the president and members of Congress—regardless of religious beliefs or political persuasion—to pray for the nation in a spirit of reconciliation, according to the National Prayer Breakfast Foundation. The first such breakfast occurred in 1953 during the presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower. Every president since has participated in the tradition, according to the foundation.

Dig deeper: Read Travis K. Kircher’s report in The Sift about how Trump issued an executive order preventing men from participating in women’s sports.