Rededicate 250: What attendees told The Lion about faith and America

Thousands wrapped around Washington, D.C., city blocks over the weekend to attend a festival devoted to rededicating the U.S. to God ahead of its 250^th anniversary.

Freedom 250, the organization created to plan events related to America’s anniversary, hosted “Rededicate 250” on Sunday at the National Mall. The event featured a video message from President Donald Trump and other members of his administration, as well as various spiritual leaders who spoke from a stage.

Numerous attendees, ranging from Trump supporters to passionate skeptics, told The Lion about their experience and what brought them there.

“We have hecklers over there shouting at us while we’re waiting in line,” a pastor named Wei from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, told The Lion. “Standing in line for hours in the burning hot sun in suits,” he laughed, noting a sense of unity among those in line.

“It’s a great crowd,” one attendee told The Lion, describing himself as “anti-war” and “not a Trump supporter at all.” He added that he was there with his son not to protest but to “see a different segment of society.” He also emphasized that the attendees had all been very nice and were clearly devoted to their religion and faith.

Protesters held signs opposing Christian nationalism and yelled into megaphones outside the Rededicate 250 entrance, calling Trump a “fascist” and other names. Several attendees and passersby laughed at the demonstrators, which one woman and attendee told The Lion was “demonic.”

Other attendees said the event was a part of a “spiritual battle” for America, and that the Trump administration has helped encourage the revival they have been praying for.

“It’s not every day you get to be here in the nation’s capital, in the heart of our capital, worshiping with tens of thousands of other believers. … To do it here is just really special,” Elijah from Virginia said. “Americans – black, white, women, male, old, young – all of us coming together and saying, ‘we need the Lord more than ever.’”

Spiritual leaders across different denominational backgrounds took the stage, which was fashioned to mimic a federal building with stained-glass windows depicting the Founding Fathers and a cross. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegseth and House Speaker Mike Johnson also delivered live or recorded messages.

Multiple attendees told The Lion they were most eager to hear Rubio, including one who flew in from Orlando, Florida, and another from Albany, New York.

The Trump administration has promoted messaging and initiatives on religious liberty, frequently highlighting Christianity in particular. Trump read from the Old Testament in his video message to Rededicate 250, and posted Sunday on Truth Social in support of the event.

Several corporate media reports aired a perspective of concern over Rededicate 250 purportedly mirroring Christian nationalism. Supporters say such reports are inaccurate or paint with broad brushstrokes.

Dr. Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, said from the stage that “if being a Christian nationalist means loving Jesus Christ and loving America, count me in.” The crowd cheered in response.

When asked about the event’s connections to so-called Christian nationalism, several attendees told The Lion that they are not concerned.

“I don’t put too much stock into a phrase like Christian nationalism,” said Michael, a Christian native to the D.C. area who is skeptical of Trump’s own Christian faith.

“I think it’s probably an unhelpful phrase, frankly,” Michael said, noting that he and his friends understood choosing to attend the event meant that they are likely to be associated with ideas they do not necessarily agree with.

“We’re a Christian nation,” Elijah told The Lion. “Our nation was founded and always has been based on biblical principles.”

Trump’s voiced support for Christianity was met with mixed reception from the attendees that spoke with The Lion.

Michael said that “it would be bizarre if he [Trump] is a genuine believer” and did not recognize that his controversial post depicting himself in a white robe and red sash made him appear to resemble Jesus Christ. The April 13 post was sharply criticized by Christian and conservative influencers online, and Trump responded by deleting the post and claiming he thought that he appeared to be a doctor associated with Red Cross.

Though Michael expressed deep skepticism toward Trump’s faith, he added that “I pray for my country [and] I’m hopeful in God. I’m hopeful because God is consistent, not because I expect things held in public proclaiming faith in a country that I think needs a lot of repenting is necessarily going to lead to action. But if I’m praying to God, I should be hopeful that it will.”

When prompted to respond to the April 13 post, multiple attendees said that though they did not approve of it, they believed Trump was still playing a role in American spiritual revival.

“You can focus on the negative, which is really discouraging, or you can kind of not be so depressed and focus on the positive,” Elijah said. “There’s always room for improvement,” but “our nation needs this right here: prayer, repentance [and] getting back to biblical principles more than ever.”

Wei told The Lion, “This administration is probably the best thing that’s happened to this country in a while. … We are a nation under God, founded to serve God [and] … America is longing for revival. It’s obvious here today that America loves God very much.”

Ryan, a pastor from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, said he could see the event being a good “starting point” toward “repentance” in America.

“We’re really hoping for the whole nation to come together and recognize that we all need to repent because repentance is key to entering the kingdom of heaven,” Ryan said. “So, I’m really hoping that this is a good turning point for the whole nation to come together and realize that we should all be united and be united under God.”

Donald, a member of the Crow Tribe from southeastern Montana, told The Lion, “I know that God has anointed him [Trump] to be the leader for this time. … Rather than criticize, I would rather pray for him.” 

“I thought it was important for me to be here at the rededication. And not just the rededication of America, but I see it as a rededication of America back to God,” Donald continued.

“Many people [are] walking up to me asking forgiveness from the First Nations. So for what has happened in the past, our past history of America, and, you know, as representing my tribe and my people and the first people of this nation, you know, I let them know that we do forgive them. It’s time to move on and reconcile.”

Aisha Nessipbekova and Alexandra Vanegas contributed to this report.