President Trump’s Freedom 250 will stage Rededicate 250 — a 10-hour Christian Nationalist event at the National Mall on May 17. Part of Trump’s hijack of America’s 250th birthday, the White House calls the event a ‘large-scale revival’ devoted to ‘rededicating our country as One Nation under God.’ Faith leaders and legal scholars warn of dangers of Christian nationalist extremism.
By Nancy Levine Stearns | March 31, 2026
At a Christian prayer and worship service at the Pentagon last week in support of the war in Iran, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth prayed for “overwhelming violence” against enemies. Hegseth also issued a call to the American people last week to pray: “Every day, on bended knee, with your family, in your schools, in your churches,” he said, “in the name of Jesus Christ.”
On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV rebuked Hegseth for invoking Jesus in his war cries. The Pope said at a Palm Sunday Mass and posted on X: “This is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war. He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: ‘Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood’ (Is 1:15).”
With his message, the Pope joins many leaders in faith, academic, and government circles who have been sounding alarms about the rise of Christian nationalism, the engine of authoritarian violence.
Congressman Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) warned of violence stemming from Christian nationalism in 2024, as he objected to the confirmation of Speaker Mike Johnson:
“I really want to underscore the violence [associated with Christian nationalism]. No one should confuse the Christian nationalist movement…as just a bunch of people of faith that want to practice their faith. It is the opposite of that. These are people who want power and control over others. They want to take over our government. They want to eliminate the separation of church and state and impose a biblically sanctioned theocracy.
“Christian nationalists, including Johnson, ‘are zeroed in on defeating democracy,’ Huffman added. ‘Violence is a feature, not a bug, of this movement and we need to take it very, very seriously.’”
Rep. Huffman spoke with Impactivize last week, warning about the dangers of “theocratic abuse.” He said, “It’s very standard for Pete Hegseth and the other extremists in this administration. They godwash everything they do. This administration does the dumbest and the most extreme and destructive things, and literally has the gall to suggest it’s in furtherance of God’s plan. And it’s all kind of sanctified as part of this religious agenda.”
The Trump administration’s religious agenda is nowhere more evident than in its upcoming Freedom 250 event: Rededicate 250 centers on “rededicating our country as One Nation under God,” as part of Trump’s hijack of America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Freedom 250 | Rededicate 250
While headlines about Trump’s Freedom 250 are dominated by an upcoming UFC fight on the White House lawn and an INDYCAR race through D.C., Freedom 250 has quietly bundled a Christian nationalist “large-scale revival” event with the other festivities.
Rededicate 250 is a 10-hour prayer event is set to take place on May 17 on the National Mall. The event centers on “rededicating our country as One Nation Under God.” The event couches the founding of America in a Christian framework that has been debunked by historians.
Historian Jon Butler, former Dean of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at Yale University, author of Awash in a Sea of Faith: Christianizing the American People, said in a 2004 interview with History News Network:
“The United States wasn’t founded as a Christian country. Religion played very little role in the American Revolution and it played very little role in the making of the Constitution.”
Freedom 250 is Trump’s Christian nationalist hijack of America250, the official nonprofit entity celebrating America’s birthday. The organization was founded by the bipartisan U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, established by Congress in 2016.
An official White House Freedom 250 web site for “America Prays” directs: “Open the prayer meeting with scripture about God’s sovereignty and nations.” The White House page links to an official proclamation by Trump, saying what “The Bible teaches” and leading Americans to “rededicate ourselves as one Nation under God.”
A Freedom 250-linked website called America Prays says, “The White House invites you to pray for our country. The splash page cites Christian Bible verse with a quote attributed to Jesus, and directs Americans to “Listen to Scripture read aloud, reflect on God’s Word, and make daily prayer a simple habit for you and your household.”
Trump’s Freedom 250 is under investigation by Democratic senators led by Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif) over funding questions, including a pay-to-play scheme. In separate letters to the White House and Interior Secretary Doug Bergum, senators demanded answers to questions surrounding the “troubling allocation of at least $100 million in taxpayer funds to Freedom 250, a private entity which has been reportedly soliciting high-dollar donations in exchange for preferential access to President Trump and official government events held for America’s 250th birthday.”
Corporate sponsors of Trump’s Freedom 250 include payment giant Mastercard, as Impactivize previously reported.
In his remarks to Congress last month, Rep. Huffman torched congressional Republicans for enabling Trump’s Freedom 250:
“And you, his little Duma, let [Trump] hijack the country’s 250th anniversary, and sell access, hide his donors, and rewrite history. They siphoned off $100 million of taxpayer money to bankroll propaganda, as the administration replaces the real story of our history with a whitewashed fantasy. The horror of slavery, the Native American genocide, all that is out. Censorship and gauzy Christian nationalism, written by Prager U, is in.”
The dangers of Christian nationalism
Matthew D. Taylor, PhD, visiting scholar at the Center on Faith and Justice at Georgetown University, is a leading expert on Christian nationalism, religious extremism, and the role of religious pluralism in defending democracy. Taylor spoke with Impactivize about the Rededicate 250 event and the dangers of Christian nationalism.
Calling the mythology behind Rededicate 250 “historical hogwash,” Taylor said the organizers are “assuming a baseline of Christian nationalism in our history. And then we’re going to ‘rededicate,’ so we’re going to amp beyond that. We’re going to kind of take a next step to make the country more Christian. To ceremonialize this in a particular way. So it is very much of a piece of the ethos of Christian nationalism, Christian supremacy.”
As for the danger, Taylor added, “We’re not just talking about Christian nationalism as though they just want to control the narrative of the religious history of the United States. But doing so is in service of this broader authoritarian turn in right and far right politics. This is all of a piece with the effort to ideologically realign the U.S. military to create or install narratives of Christian virtue in our war making. of aligning our military around a vision of right wing and even far right politics and excising from the ranks of the generals or the or the rank and file people who don’t agree with that vision.”
The impact of Christian nationalism on the U.S. military waging holy war is evident. What may be less well understood are the dangers posed by our government weaponizing levers of enforcement against U.S. citizens; the “consequences of militarization on communities,” as the Brookings Institute reported. Research scholars have elucidated the dangers of violence arising from Christian nationalism.
In a paper titled Theology of Control: Christian Nationalist Violence and Hostility, published by Homeland Security Affairs, Dr. John B. White, Visiting Research Fellow at the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship at BYU and former Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Ethics and Director of the Graduate Chaplaincy Program at Baylor University, wrote:
“Christian Nationalism’s singular goal is to combine religious and political power, which scholars agree likely results in ‘religiously motivated genocide.’ As Christian Nationalism gains power, the elimination of liberal democracy and violence toward opposing groups will likely increase.”
A note at the top of the Homeland Security Affairs site that published Dr. White’s paper, says, “Some content on this platform has been removed in accordance with the President’s executive orders and DHS priorities.”
About DHS priorities, Rev. Dr. Shannon Fleck, executive director of Faithful America, a nonprofit progressive Christian group, told Impactivize in an interview:
“It’s very important to understand that for these folks like Pete Hegseth, who have this belief system, we are in a spiritual warfare. That’s the part that folks maybe don’t take seriously enough is the end goal is an enforcement of living by a strict literalist interpretation of a very extreme interpretation of scripture.”
Rev. Dr. Fleck warned, “ICE is an enforcement of this kind. Ever since Markwayne Mullin was named as the nominee to be the Secretary of Homeland Security, I have been sounding the alarm on his involvement with a local Dominionist, extremist Christian nationalist group, here in Oklahoma. And he is quite literally about to become the enforcement leader.”
“Christian nationalists very much want to shape the government through a lens of their version and interpretation of Christianity, which is really just using the language of the faith in order to gain power and control,” Rev. Dr. Fleck said.
“This is going to end up hitting everybody if it hasn’t already,” she said, “They are going to put morality and faith into all policy and law. And legislate us all into compliance.”
As for Hegseth’s spiritual warfare, he invited Christian extremist pastor Doug Wilson to lead a prayer service at the Pentagon. Wilson, who supports repealing women’s right to vote and believes homosexuality should be a crime, has “advocated for the idea that the US should adopt a Christian theocracy and adhere to a biblical interpretation of society,” CNN reported.
Hegseth’s pastor Brooks Potteiger called for the crucifixion of James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate from Texas. Talarico, who is a devout Christian, responded in a post on X: “Jesus loves. Christian nationalism kills.”
Christian nationalism is White Male Christian nationalism
The Trump administration is following the playbook of Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s 900-page manifesto for white Christian nationalist regime change. On Day One of his second presidency, Trump targeted DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion), as prescribed by Project 2025, taking aim at people of color, women LGBTQ+, and disabled persons.
Shari Dunn, JD, author of the bestselling book Qualified, messaged Impactivize (where she is an advisory board member):
“What ties all of this together is the role of white supremacist ideology and how it does not promote or support empathy. It also conflicts with key elements of Christian doctrine. That tension is really what makes white Christian nationalism distinct from Christianity as a whole.”
In a Substack post, Dunn wrote: “Do not be hoodwinked by people who use Christianity as a shield. They may be practicing a religion, but it is not Christianity from a Christian perspective. It is Christianity in the service of white supremacy, which has been with us far longer than this current moment.”
Rev. Dr. Fleck noted that “Project 2025 authors, the Heritage Foundation, just released a new manifesto in January. It outlines the next 250 years, which is a predominant attack on women.”
On cue, last week, Hegseth “intervened to stop the promotions of several high-ranking service members including four Army officers, two Black men and two female soldiers, on track to become one-star generals” NPR reported.
Many Christian church leaders have also spoken out against white Christian nationalism. Rep. Huffman said, “More people need to understand that there is a growing number of Christians pushing back on this Christian nationalist nonsense.”
Antonio L. Ingram II, Director of Prayer and Liturgy at the Table Church in Washington, D.C., messaged Impactivize about the Rededicate 250 event:
“The Trump Administration’s pursuit to ‘rededicating our country as One Nation under God’ reflects a White Christian Nationalist faith that carries the trappings of the message of Jesus while not actually being grounded in the values that Jesus modeled. How can one rededicate a nation to God and simultaneously enact immigration policies directly opposing the biblical mandate to welcome the stranger? How can one rededicate a nation back to God and concurrently dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion [DEI] programs in direct contradiction to the biblical vision of heaven that includes every tribe, nation, and tongue?”
Ingram added, “The true purpose of ‘rededicating our country as One Nation under God’ is to provide spiritual camouflage for far-right political projects opposed to the construction of a multiracial democracy where we all have a seat at the Table.”
Constitutional Scholars Say Rededicate 250 is Unconstitutional
As for secular pushback on Christian nationalism, Huffman said, “You’ve got these really great litigators out there with secular groups, from the ACLU to Americans United for Separation of Church and State. They’re really good at challenging egregious violations in court.”
Americans United for Separation of Church and State President and CEO Rachel Laser messaged Impactivize about Rededicate 250:
“The Trump administration is advancing a Christian Nationalist agenda – perpetuating the lie that America was founded as a Christian nation and that our laws and policies must continue to grant power and privilege to Christians who share their narrow beliefs. People who care about religious freedom don’t need to be told when or how to pray; they need leaders who are committed to separation of church and state, which guarantees that we all can live as ourselves and believe as we choose, as long as we don’t harm others. We need a national recommitment to church-state separation – our democracy depends on it.”
Constitutional scholars are in agreement with AU.
Steven K. Green, Professor of Law and Affiliated Professor of History and Religious Studies at Willamette University, messaged Impactivize:
“The upcoming Rededicate 250 event is just another example of the persistent myth that the United States was founded as a Christian nation. Its sponsors should take the time to read the notes of the Constitutional Convention and other seminal documents which are devoid of references to the Bible or God’s laws. The White House’s sponsorship of the event is deeply troubling–and technically unconstitutional–as it goes beyond the usual platitudes to recommending religious readings and activity and providing links on its webpage.
“Secretary Hegseth’s recent statements are not surprising as he is an avowed Christian nationalist. His references to a Christian holy war and it being a crusade are exceptionally tone-deaf considering our significant Gulf allies which are all Muslim nations. While he has the right to his personal beliefs, he should not be using his government platform to promote them.”
Garrett Epps, Professor of Practice at the University Oregon School of Law, told Impactivize in an interview:
“The one thing the framers of the Constitution did not want was a federal government in Washington telling people what they had to believe. That has been unconstitutional since the framing of the Bill of Rights. It’s just the same as if the federal government, President Trump, were to proclaim that this year we’re going to celebrate the 250th anniversary of white supremacy. I can’t go to court and make the president not say that. But what I can say is it’s a gross violation of the Constitution.”
About the language “One nation under God,” Prof. Epps said, “it was added in 1954 [to the Pledge of Allegiance] after a campaign by the Knights of Columbus and some very conservative groups.”
Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-founder, co-president, Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) messaged Impactivize about the religious language:
“The United States is not ‘one nation under God’ but one nation under a Constitution that in fact is entirely secular with no reference or mention of God, much less Jesus or the Ten Commandments. The lie that we are ‘one nation under God’ is so easily countered — simply by reading our godless Constitution. The Constitution placed sovereignty not in a deity, but in the people — a radical, revolutionary and purposeful act.”
Gaylor added, “It is especially insulting that Freedom 250 promotes the fraudulent image of Washington praying in the snow at Valley Forge, which is thoroughly debunked by historians.”
What about the Supreme Court?
Prof. Epps said, “I don’t see this [Supreme] Court doing anything about it. But the question of the Constitution is not the property of the courts. It belongs to all of us. But the Court is not going to rescue us.”
Matthew Taylor agreed, saying, “Unfortunately, the rot is within our Supreme Court as well — the rot of Christian nationalism and these ideologies of right wing authoritarianism.”
Frank S. Ravitch, Professor of Law and Chair of Law and Religion at Michigan State University, is the author of a forthcoming book, geared for a mainstream audience, about the Supreme Court. He told Impactivize in an interview:
“The framers did not use Jesus’ name at these prayers,” Ravitch said. “Their chaplains didn’t do that because it created conflicts between various groups and they didn’t want to do that.”
About Hegseth’s religious extremism, Ravitch said, “It goes against everything that the framers would have viewed as acceptable. And then having a very sectarian minister speak in general to the military. His extremely sectarian comments actually violates everything that the framers were were concerned about.”
About the Rededicate 250 event, Ravitch said, “The fact is that the president encouraged people to do these things [recite Bible scripture, Christian prayer], and it’s in a public declaration, so it’s not private speech by the president. It’s public. It’s a horrible declaration. And the fact that the government does seem to be funding some of this. Historically, this is a no-brainer.”
The Christian ‘Just War Theory’
The Just War theory is an ancient Christian construct, a set of criteria that justifies war in some circumstances (e.g., World War II vanquished Hitler’s Nazi regime). Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, the Archbishop of Washington, explained why the war in Iran is immoral, does not meet the criteria of a just war. He explained, “The criterion of just cause is not met because our country was not responding to an existing or imminent and objectively verifiable attack by Iran.”
Dr. Michael Kryzanek, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts, wrote an analysis of the Christian concept of a “Just War.” He wrote: “As the Just War Theory shows, war can under certain circumstances be righteous, but not the war in Iran. President Trump has taken the nation down the road to an illegal and unnecessary conflict.”
Kryzanek told Impactivize in an interview: “We’re really moving in a direction where this is becoming something more than a strategic war against nuclear weapons. It is a war to enhance Christian nationalism and convince people that God is on our side.” He said, “Secular humanists have been pushed out in favor of individuals who believe in his view of the importance of Jesus and a holy war and killing Muslims,” and “Hegseth is really a bloodthirsty kind of guy. It’s really very scary.”
“I am a practicing Roman Catholic,” Kryzanek said, “Thank God for the Pope.”
Pope Leo XIV declined an invitation from Trump to join the White House festivities celebrating America’s 250th birthday. Instead, the Pope will receive the Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center on July 3, the eve America’s Semiquincentennial, in Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed.
In a press release, the Center said, “The award recognizes The Holy Father’s lifelong work promoting religious liberty and freedom of conscience and expression around the world, ideals enshrined by America’s founders in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”
Who are Christian nationalists?
A study conducted this year by PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute) revealed that only 11 percent of Americans identify as Christian nationalists. Together with sympathizers, about one third of Americans support Christian nationalism. About two thirds of Americans do not support Christian nationalism.
Rep. Huffman said, “I have seen this Christian nationalist PR blitz coming for some time. One of the first things Trump did with his executive orders is create this Religious Liberty Commission, which is a total sham, an absolute sham.”
Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission members include evangelical writer and radio host Eric Metaxas, “who has endorsed Mr. Trump’s baseless claims of 2020 election fraud,” the New York Times reported.
Mataxas’ view is unsurprising. Matthew Taylor said, “Functionally, there’s no separation between MAGA and the Republican Party today. MAGA is the mainstream, and it’s an authoritarian movement. And part of the playbook for authoritarian movements is to rig elections.”
The Chair of Trump’s sham Religious Liberty Commission is Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. In 2016, hours after a shooting massacre at Pulse, an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Orlando, that killed 50 people, Patrick posted (then deleted) a tweet: “Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
The late Bob Weir, cofounder of the Grateful Dead and Dead & Company, spoke at a concert on the night of the Pulse nightclub shooting. Weir reflected to the audience about Dan Patrick’s hateful use of Bible verse:
“I want to ask a question. Is there a difference between that mindset and the mindset of the folks in the Taliban or ISIS? The hatred and intolerance is the same. They may pull it out of different books, but it’s the same fucking thing. Register and vote. Get those assholes out of there.”