On May 1, 2025, former President Donald J. Trump participated in the annual National Day of Prayer event at the White House Rose Garden. The live-streamed ceremony brought together faith leaders from across the country and underscored the administration’s focus on religious liberty and interfaith unity. During the event, Trump delivered remarks highlighting the importance of prayer in American life, signed an executive order establishing a Religious Liberty Commission, and reaffirmed commitments to protect faith communities’ rights. The ceremony was broadcast on multiple platforms, drawing widespread online viewership and sparking diverse reactions from religious groups and political commentators.

Background

The National Day of Prayer, established by Congress in 1952 and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman, is observed on the first Thursday of May each year. It invites Americans of all faiths to “turn to God in prayer and meditation” for the nation’s leaders and citizenry. Over the years, presidents have traditionally hosted multi-faith events at the White House to mark the occasion.

In conjunction with the 2025 observance, President Trump signed an executive order creating a Religious Liberty Commission under the White House Office of Faith-Based Initiatives. This new body is charged with advising on policies to safeguard individuals’ and communities’ rights to practice religion without governmental interference.

Event Details

• Date & Time: Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time

• Location: Rose Garden, The White House, Washington, D.C.

• Broadcast Platforms: Official White House YouTube channel; RSBN; EpochTV; C-SPAN3; Facebook Live streams

• Participants: President Trump; Vice President (Ceremonial Host); faith leaders representing Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, and other traditions; members of Congress.

• Key Actions:

  • Invocation and opening prayer by a coalition of clergy.

  • Remarks by President Trump emphasizing prayer’s role in uniting the nation.

  • Signing of an executive order to establish the Religious Liberty Commission.

  • Benediction and closing prayer led by an interfaith panel.

Reactions

• Supportive Responses: Many religious organizations praised the event and the new commission as steps toward reinforcing First Amendment protections and fostering inter-faith dialogue.

• Criticisms: Some church-state separation advocates expressed concern that close ties between the White House and specific religious initiatives risk blurring constitutional lines. Others noted the absence of certain faith traditions among the invited speakers.

• Viewership Metrics: Early reports indicate hundreds of thousands of concurrent viewers across streaming platforms, reflecting significant public interest in faith-based national observances.

Conclusion

The 2025 National Day of Prayer event at the White House served both as a traditional moment of national reflection and as a platform for the Trump administration’s renewed emphasis on religious liberty. By signing the executive order for a Religious Liberty Commission during the ceremony, President Trump positioned faith and prayer at the forefront of his policy agenda, ensuring that the annual observance resonated beyond ceremonial prayers into actionable governance.

Sources

1. Washington Post, “Live updates: President Trump plans to replace national security adviser Michael Waltz…,” May 1, 2025.

2. The White House, “President Trump Participates in a National Day of Prayer Event,” YouTube video, May 1, 2025.

3. RSBN, “President Trump Participates in National Day of Prayer Event – 5/1/25,” YouTube live stream, May 1, 2025.

4. The Epoch Times, “LIVE NOW: Trump Participates in National Day of Prayer,” EpochTV live broadcast, May 1, 2025.

5. C-SPAN3 Archive, “President Trump Participates in National Day of Prayer,” May 1, 2025.

6. C-SPAN, “President Trump Participates in National Day of Prayer,” event page, May 1, 2025.

7. Reuters, “Trump establishes religious liberty commission,” May 1, 2025.

8. AP News, “The Latest: Trump national security adviser Mike Waltz is out…,” May 1, 2025.

9. The Guardian, live updates: “’Firing the wrong guy’: Democrats welcome Mike Waltz exit…,” May 1, 2025.

10. Wikipedia, “Timeline of Donald Trump’s second presidency (2025 Q1),” accessed May 1, 2025.