Listen To Story Above

Former President Donald Trump is set to participate in the National Prayer Breakfast at the Capitol, continuing a longstanding Washington tradition that spans over seven decades.

The event, which brings together lawmakers from both sides of the aisle in a spirit of fellowship, will also see Trump deliver remarks at a separate prayer breakfast hosted by a private organization at a Washington hotel.

The tradition of presidential participation in the National Prayer Breakfast began with President Dwight D. Eisenhower in February 1953, and has been maintained by every subsequent president.

This year’s gathering, co-chaired by Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Republican Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas, is expected to draw significant attendance from a Ukrainian delegation. The Ukrainian representatives plan to emphasize religious freedom protection as a crucial factor in maintaining U.S. support for Kyiv’s defense against Russian aggression.

Trump’s previous appearance at the National Prayer Breakfast occurred shortly after his acquittal in his first impeachment trial on February 5, 2020. During that memorable appearance, he made a dramatic entrance, displaying newspapers bearing “Acquitted” headlines, including one from The Washington Post that caught him by surprise.

In his 2020 address, Trump explored themes of love, faith, and forgiveness, while acknowledging his personal struggles. He remarked, “They love people and sometimes they hate people,” referring to people of faith. “I’m sorry. I apologize. I’m trying to learn. … It’s not easy. When they impeach you for nothing and then you’re supposed to like them it’s not easy folks, I do my best.”

The president’s address is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. EST on Thursday.