President Trump hosted the second public meeting of the White House Religious Freedom Commission at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., on Monday, vowing to continue defending constitutional religious liberties, announcing new guidance on the rights of public school students to pray, and unveiling a new initiative called “America Prays” for 2026.
Franklin Graham, who was in attendance, is among the commission’s members, along with Dr. Ben Carson, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Faith & Freedom Coalition founder Ralph Reed and others.
“America has always been a nation that believes in the power of prayer and we will never apologize for our faith—ever, ever, never, never,” Trump told those in attendance. “We will never surrender our God-given rights. We will defend our liberties, our values, our sovereignty, and we will defend our freedom.”
The president announced that that the Department of Education would soon issue new guidance bolstering the right to student-led prayer in public schools. During the meeting, 12-year-old Shea Encinas of California explained that he was forced to read a book about transgender ideology to a kindergarten student—a requirement that violated his beliefs. The president also shared the story of another student who was in attendance—Hannah Allen of Honey Grove, Texas—who was forbidden from praying for an injured classmate in front of other students.
The president also announced a new initiative called “America Prays.”
“Next year, we will celebrate 250 years since that Declaration [of Independence] was signed,” the president explained. “We’ve invited America’s great faith communities to pray for our nation, for our people, and for peace in the world.”
Franklin also spoke at the meeting, using the opportunity to share the Gospel with all those present and reiterate his commitment to evangelism.
“I understand that everything we say is on the record, so I want to be on the record,” he said. “I believe that God sent His Son Jesus Christ from Heaven to this earth to take our sins, that He died and shed His blood on the Cross for our sins, that He was buried in a tomb for our sins, and that on the third day God raised His Son to life.” His address was met with wide applause.
After the meeting, Franklin spoke with Greta Van Susteren on NEWSMAX. “President Trump is the most friendly president in my lifetime as it relates to religious freedom,” he explained. “I believe he cares, not just about the office and his appearance in the office, but for the American people.”
