Trump Recites 2 Chronicles From Oval Office During 'America Reads the Bible' Event

President Donald Trump delivered a recorded video message from the Oval Office on Tuesday evening, reading from the biblical book of 2 Chronicles. The appearance was part of 'America Reads the Bible,' a weeklong public scripture-reading marathon marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. The President's participation centers on a passage frequently cited in American religious and political discourse.

The Details

The President read 2 Chronicles 7:11–22, with a specific focus on verse 14, which calls for people to humble themselves, pray, and turn from 'wicked ways' so that God may 'heal their land.' In the video, Trump appeared at his desk with his hands folded atop an open Bible, speaking directly into the camera.

The 'America Reads the Bible' initiative is a massive undertaking involving nearly 500 leaders and representatives from 122 ministries. The event features a continuous reading of the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, primarily staged at the Museum of the Bible's World Stage Theater in Washington, D.C. Daily readings occur between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. from April 19 through April 25, 2026.

Organizers specifically reserved the 2 Chronicles 7 passage for the President. Bunni Pounds, founder and president of Christians Engaged, stated that the passage was viewed as critical for the 'body of Christ' and that the organization had been praying for Trump to read this specific section for a year.

Trump is not the only administration official participating in the event. The schedule includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and several other cabinet members including Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.

Other notable participants include U.S. ambassador to Israel and Baptist pastor Mike Huckabee, who read from Genesis, and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Dr. Ben Carson, the former HUD Secretary, and his wife Candy Carson are also scheduled to follow the president's reading.

In a separate presidential message issued on April 18, the White House characterized the Bible as being 'indelibly woven into our national identity and way of life.' All participants are reading from the King James Version Easy Read edition, and the event is being livestreamed by Great American Pure Flix.

Context

The use of 2 Chronicles 7:14 has a long history in American political and religious life. President Dwight D. Eisenhower used the passage during his 1953 inauguration, and President Ronald Reagan quoted it in a 1984 proclamation for the National Day of Prayer. The verse has become a cornerstone for those who argue that the United States was founded as a Christian nation and should return to those roots.

Biblically, 2 Chronicles 7 takes place approximately 3,000 years ago during the reign of King Solomon, describing the dedication of the first temple in Jerusalem. While proponents see the verse as a timeless promise of national restoration, critics argue that applying it to the United States is a misinterpretation of its original context, which was specific to ancient Israel.

President Trump has a established relationship with the evangelical voting bloc, which remains a crucial part of his electoral base. This connection has been highlighted by the fusion of national and religious symbols at his rallies and the previous marketing of a 'God Bless the USA' Bible during his 2024 campaign.

What's Next

The 'America Reads the Bible' event continues through Saturday, April 25, and is intended to tie the nation's upcoming 250th birthday to a vision of Christian heritage. This alignment of the executive branch with a specific religious initiative is expected to further solidify Trump's standing with evangelical supporters.

However, the initiative is likely to draw continued scrutiny from historians and religious critics. Figures such as Baptist pastor Brian Kaylor have already criticized the appropriation of the Chronicles passage, suggesting it is a tool for Christian nationalism rather than a reflection of historical or biblical accuracy.

As the event concludes, the focus will likely shift toward how the administration integrates these themes of 'national identity' into broader policy and public messaging leading up to the official 250th anniversary celebrations.