Rubio, Hegseth to keynote Christian U.S. 250th celebration

The Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will speak Sunday at Rededicate 250, a daylong rally and worship event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The free event will run for most of the day, including speeches from political and faith leaders and a worship concert. The proceedings will highlight God’s involvement throughout America’s history to the present day and to rededicate the nation to Him in its 250th year, according to the event’s webpage. Rubio is a practicing Roman Catholic. Hegseth is an evangelical protestant, attending a Washington, D.C., church affiliated with the denomination co-founded by Rev. Doug Wilson, known for his controversial views on Christian Nationalism.

The event is hosted by the White House’s Freedom 250 private nonprofit, which is organizing a range of celebrations throughout the year in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. The nonprofit is distinct from America 250, a bipartisan congressional commission organizing events with help from the Bushes and Obamas.

Other headline speakers at Sunday’s event include House Speaker Mike Johnson, the Rev. Franklin Graham, Bishop Robert Barron, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, Paula White of the White House Faith Office, Alveda King, The Chosen actor Jonathan Roumie, and author Eric Metaxas. Many of the speakers previously served on the White House Religious Liberty Commission. The lineup, packed with Trump allies, doesn’t include any representatives from mainline Protestant denominations such as the Episcopal Church. Musicians performing include Chris Tomlin, military bands, and choirs from Liberty University and Hillsdale College.

Author Metaxas and Rabbi Soloveichik have drawn controversy in the past—Metaxas for backing Trump’s claims of a stolen 2020 election, and Soloveichik for supporting hatred for one’s enemies and the morality of torturing terrorists. 

What are critics of the event saying? The Freedom from Religion Foundation criticized a slew of Trump’s cabinet officials for promoting the event on social media. The Freedom From Religion Foundation argued that a government-hosted event should not promote the idea that one brand of Christianity was the core of American identity. The group has also requested information on the event’s funding and urged boycotts of corporate sponsors United Airlines and Mastercard.

Among the officials supporting the rally was Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who attends a French Huguenot church and is in a homosexual relationship.

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s story on the religious liberty commission’s final hearing.