Trump Creates the Religious Liberty Commission: 'We're Bringing Back Religion in Our Country' (May 1, 2025)

President Donald Trump marked the National Day of Prayer in the Rose Garden with a promise about faith in America. “We’re bringing back religion in our country, and we’re bringing it back quickly and strongly. Because for America to be a great nation, we must always be one Nation under God,” Trump said on May 1, 2025, according to the transcript published by the American Presidency Project [1].

“So, as we bow our heads on this beautiful day, once again we have to trust our God, because our God knows exactly where we’re going, what we’re doing, knows every inch of our life,” he said [1].

The video above shows Trump at the National Day of Prayer on May 1, 2025. Quotes are from the American Presidency Project and the Federal Register [1][2][3].

”One Nation Under God”

Trump said some want to drop the phrase. “One Nation under God, a phrase that they would like to get rid of, the radical left. But, Ben, I don’t think we’re going to let them get rid of that, right?” he said to former Housing Secretary Ben Carson [1].

“Today, as the American people turn to God in prayer, we continue a tradition older than our independence itself,” Trump said. “Nearly 250 years ago, on June 12, 1775, the Continental Congress appointed a day of fasting and prayer so that Americans fighting for their liberty could seek the help of the Almighty.” [1]

He quoted John Adams, who wrote to his wife, Abigail, of the first National Day of Prayer: “Millions will be upon their knees at once before their great creator, imploring his forgiveness and blessing and asking for his favor on the American cause.” [1]

“Today, more than 2½ centuries later, in the heart of a free and proud America, we rejoice that God answered those prayers,” Trump said [1].

“This important office will work to protect vulnerable women and children, strengthen the American family, promote the dignity of work and choice and education,” Trump said of the White House Faith Office [1].

”Anti-Christian Bias”

Trump listed what his administration had done for people of faith. “I created a historic White House Faith Office in the West Wing,” he said, “to defend and represent people of all faiths and their religious freedoms at home and at—and abroad.” [1]

“I signed an Executive order to combat anti-Semitism. It’s a big thing—a big thing,” Trump said. He said he had set up a Justice Department task force on anti-Christian bias. “You haven’t heard that, but there’s anti-Christian bias also,” he said [1].

The Religious Liberty Commission

“And in just a few moments, I’ll also be signing an Executive order creating a Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty, which is really why we’re here, more than any other reason,” Trump said [1].

He named its chairman, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, “whose idea this was,” and called him “a man of great religion.” Carson is also a member [1].

Patrick spoke next. “Mr. President, thank you for establishing what I think will be one of the most important presidential commissions in history. It will be one of your great legacies, of which you will have many,” he said. “We have in this country—we have a magnificent inheritance of religious liberty. And every believer today, no matter your faith, has a claim to that inheritance.” [1]

“I’m proud to represent you as Chair, proud to have Ben Carson as our Vice Chair and every member of this Committee. We will serve you, we will serve the people, and most importantly, we will serve God,” Patrick said [1].

Trump told how Carson, during the 2016 primaries, had predicted he would win. “And I said, ‘Why?’ He said, ‘Because God is with you,’” Trump said [1].

The order he signed, Executive Order 14291, says: “It shall be the policy of the executive branch to vigorously enforce the historic and robust protections for religious liberty enshrined in Federal law.” [2]

“The Founders envisioned a Nation in which religious voices and views are integral to a vibrant public square and human flourishing and in which religious people and institutions are free to practice their faith without fear of discrimination or hostility from the Government,” the order says [2].

It directs the commission to “produce a comprehensive report on the foundations of religious liberty in America, the impact of religious liberty on American society, current threats to domestic religious liberty,” and ways to protect it [2].

”Bigger and Better and Stronger”

The ceremony ended with music. “We’re bringing back religion in our country, and we’re bringing it back, as I say, bigger and better and stronger than ever before,” Trump said [1].

Musicians then performed “Great Are You Lord” and “Amazing Grace” as Trump signed the order, the transcript notes [1].

By the Numbers

June 12, 1775: the Continental Congress’s day of fasting and prayer, per Trump [1].
July 4, 2026: the end of the commission’s first term, the 250th anniversary of independence [2].
10: the maximum number of attorneys on the commission’s legal advisory board [2].

What Happened Next

Faith came back to the public square. In his proclamation for Religious Freedom Day, Jan. 16, 2026, Trump wrote: “To further strengthen families and protect religious freedom, I established the White House Faith Office and the Religious Liberty Commission.” [3]

“I directed the Department of Education to protect the foundational First Amendment right to prayer in public schools,” the proclamation says, adding that his administration “launched America Prays.” [3]

For Trump at the White House Easter Egg Roll that spring, see HYGO News’ page on April 21, 2025. For Trump at the University of Alabama later the same day, see the page on May 1, 2025.