Karoline Leavitt Defends Trump’s Prayer Campaign as Inclusive of All Faiths

Milton Quintanilla

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By Milton Quintanilla, Crosswalk.com

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed concerns from critics who claim that President Donald Trump's prayer initiative is promoting "Christian nationalism."

During a Tuesday press briefing at the White House, Leavitt asserted that Trump is seeking to protect religious freedom for people of all faiths through his America Prays Initiative, which he introduced Monday at the White House Religious Liberty Commission, which was held at the Museum of the Bible in the nation's capital.

"Last time I checked, it's not just Christians who pray," she said. "It's people of all faiths who pray, and that's what the president wants to protect: the religious freedom for Americans of all faiths, and he spoke about that yesterday."
"That's why he was very proud and excited to announce this new initiative, encouraging all Americans to pray for our country and the goodness of our country leading up to America's 250th birthday next year."

.@PressSec: It's people of all faiths who pray, and that's what @POTUS wants to protect... that's why he was very proud and excited to announce this new initiative, 'America Prays,' encouraging all Americans to pray for our country leading up to America's 250th birthday. pic.twitter.com/6A0haNJGyv
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 9, 2025

Trump's initiative encourages Americans of faith to unite in prayer in groups of "at least 10 people to meet each week for one hour to pray" for the United States ahead of its 250th anniversary of its independence in 2026, The Christian Post reported. Additional organizations taking part in the initiative include the Southern Baptist Convention, Samaritan's Purse, Intercessors for America, First Baptist Church in Dallas, National Religious Broadcasters, and multiple Roman Catholic groups.

Leavitt referenced Trump's remarks at the Religious Liberty Commission, where he said the U.S. Department of Education would issue guidance protecting prayer in public schools. She added that the administration is implementing measures to "ensure that the religious liberties of America's students and our youth are respected in public schools."

The White House Press Secretary also mentioned how Trump invited 12-year-old Christian student Shea Encinas on the stage at Monday's event, whose family pursued legal action after he was required in fifth grade to read a book on gender ideology to a kindergarten class. Leavitt argued that the matter contradicted both "biological and biblical truth."

"Americans of faith should not be facing consequences for expressing their religious freedom and their religious views," Leavitt said. "Not in any public school in America should that be happening."

Karoline Leavitt: No Public School Student Should ‘Face Consequences’ for Expressing Their Religious Views

Is the Trump administration looking for the forthcoming prayer guidelines to challenge existing court precedent on the right to pray in public schools, asked Daily Signal… pic.twitter.com/GJpd6j5K9e
— The Daily Signal (@DailySignal) September 9, 2025

During Trump's speech on Monday, he invited Encinas to speak onstage about his experience.

"It hurt a lot, but I kept trusting God," Encinas said.

12-year-old boy who fought back against his school for pushing a book about changing genders speaks alongside President Trump at the Museum of the Bible:

"I've been a Christian my whole life, and Jesus means everything to me."

"I knew this was not right, but I was afraid of… pic.twitter.com/XOjoAbv4wA
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 8, 2025

Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.