Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump emphasized the importance of religion at the National Prayer Breakfast held at the Capitol, a tradition in Washington spanning over 70 years. During his speech, Trump urged Americans to "bring God back into our lives," reflecting on a personal transformation following two assassination attempts he experienced last year. "I feel even stronger," Trump remarked, adding, "I believe you can’t be happy without religion."

The President's comments came as he highlighted religious liberty as a fundamental aspect of American life, promising to protect it with "absolute devotion." He announced the formation of a new faith office at the White House, aimed at addressing what he termed "anti-Christian bias" within federal agencies. Trump has tasked Attorney General Pam Bondi with leading this initiative, which he believes is necessary to combat discrimination against Christians within the government.

In the course of his address, Trump drew attention to his near-death experience during an assassination attempt last year, saying it had altered his perspective on faith. "Something happened," he said, underscoring how living through such a traumatic event deepened his belief in God. Remarkably, he managed to inject humor, stating that the experience "didn’t affect my hair," drawing laughter from attendees.

Controversially, Trump also claimed he would sign an executive order officially establishing the task force to eradicate instances of anti-Christian discrimination, although he did not provide specific examples of such bias. Critics from organizations like Americans United for Separation of Church and State are concerned this task force could undermine the principle of separation of church and state enshrined in the First Amendment.

At the prayer breakfast, attendees included lawmakers from both parties, such as Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Republican Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas, who served as honorary co-chairs. This year’s event was marked by the division of the National Prayer Breakfast into two separate gatherings, one focusing on lawmakers at the Capitol and another sponsored by a private group.

Trump's rhetoric during the event continued a pattern established during his presidency, notably referencing instances where religious belief intersected with political opposition. "I don’t like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong," he once stated, highlighting ongoing tensions with religious leaders, including previous disagreements with clergy over policies affecting the LGBTQ+ community and immigration.

This year's breakfast comes amidst broader discussions about religious liberty and community rights, matters Trump firmly believes are under threat. His ability to mobilize religious sharing as a cornerstone of his political ideology remains a key element of his public persona. Read more on the National Prayer Breakfast at AP News.