Several thousand people gathered in Washington today for a "national prayer" marathon attended by several senior officials from US President Donald Trump's administration, while some consider the gathering to be a "showcase of Christian nationalism", French media reported.
That movement has revived since Trump's return to power, through speeches by Defense Secretary Pete Hegsett, a member of an ultraconservative evangelical church, and religious events at the White House.
On the National Mall near the White House in Washington, citizens gather in front of a stage designed to resemble a church choir, and stained glass windows depict the founding of the United States, whose 250th anniversary is being celebrated.
Members of the clergy, including Protestant pastors and former Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan, evangelicals and politicians, took turns leading the prayers.
The US president will join later with a video message, followed by addresses from Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Trump has already sent the first message on his social network Truth Social, wishing the participants a "good time."
While it is not uncommon to see a group of evangelical pastors come together and combine Christianity and nationalism, it is very unusual for members of the administration to participate, said Sam Perry, a professor specializing in rhetoric at Baylor University (Texas).
The Trump administration is promoting "an American identity rooted in white Christianity or European roots," Perry said.
The expert assessed that it is "less about reviving a certain form of Christianity than about promoting a political movement that uses religion to justify certain positions," especially those against immigration.
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