Political heads, faith leaders and media voices are set to speak during the nation’s gathering of prayer and worship at the National Mall in celebration of the semiquincentennial anniversary of the United States, the Daily Caller learned Wednesday.
The celebration, Rededicate 250, presented by Freedom 250, begins the morning of Sunday, May 17, with a fellowship in front of the U.S. Capitol and ends with an evening of music and testimony on the Capitol’s 12th Street, according to a Wednesday statement from Freedom 250 that announced the speakers. (RELATED: Trump Extends Iran Blockade, Ceasefire As Negotiations Remain In Limbo)
The political leaders and other public personas speaking at the event include the Republican Speaker of the House, Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth; Ambassador and Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley; and former presidential candidate and former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, currently serving as vice chair of Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, Dr. Ben Carson; Medal of Honor recipient for demonstrating heroism in the Vietnam War, Maj. Gen. Patrick Brady; and founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries and popular Catholic evangelist, Bishop Robert Barron.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former Archbishop of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan will also be giving a message through video, Freedom 250 said.
America turns 250 🇺🇸🇺🇸
President Donald J. Trump on Freedom 250 and the 2026 celebration that honors our nation like never before. WATCH: pic.twitter.com/aSaPqQ0U7m
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 18, 2025
Joining them will be heads of a variety of religious denominations and organizations that make up the U.S., including Senior Pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, Pastor Jack Graham; Senior Pastor of Free Chapel, Pastor Jentezen Franklin; Senior Rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel in New York City, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik; Chancellor of Liberty University and Senior Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church, Pastor Jonathan Falwell; Lead Pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church, Pastor Jonathan Pokluda; Detroit-based pastor and urban community leader, Pastor Lorenzo Sewell; radio host and Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Chapel, Pastor Gary Hamrick; Lead Pastor of New Season Church and president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez; and national faith leader focused on discipleship and leadership development, Pastor Andy Frank.
The Rev. Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, is also slated to offer a video message at the event
Other media personalities speaking include bestselling author and radio host discussing faith, culture and American history, Eric Metaxas; author and ministry leader with Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Cissie Graham Lynch; and journalist and faith correspondent with the Christian Broadcasting Network, Abigail Robertson.
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 26: Marchers gather at the National Mall for the Washington Prayer March 2020 lead by Evangelist Franklin Graham on September 26, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Michael A. McCoy/Getty Images)
Rededicate 250 will also showcase a range of musical and ceremonial participants, including “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, the United States Navy Band, Liberty Worship Collective, Liberty University Praise, Grand Canyon University Canyon Choir, Hillsdale College Choir, Fanfare Trumpets of the United States Armed Forces, bagpipes from the United States Air Force Band, and the Military Chaplains Prayer.
“Rededicate 250 honors the fact that, for 250 years, faith has been the greatest unifier of this country,” the director of the Domestic Policy Council of the United States, Vince Haley, said in the statement. “It carried us through revolution and civil war, through hardship and renewal.”
Haley said that Americans, “regardless of background, religion or walk of life,” are invited to come to the National Mall to “lift their voices together and ask God to bless this nation for the next 250 years.” (RELATED: Anti-ICE Dad Who Attacked Female Reporter Claims Victimhood)
Organizers for Freedom 250 said the day will be split between three pillars: The Miracles that Made Us, which reflects on the providence of God through the U.S.’s history and the faith of its founders; The Miracles Still in Our Midst, consisting of personal testimonies of the healing power of God throughout the land; and A New Birth of Faith and Freedom, an expression of gratitude and of rededicating the U.S. for another 250 years of freedom accompanied by “God’s blessing, guidance and grace.”
More information can be found on the Freedom 250 website.