MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Hours before traveling to heavily Republican Alabama on Thursday to speak to graduating students at the University of Alabama, President Donald Trump took part in a National Day of Prayer event in the Rose Garden of the White House.
The National Day of Prayer, which is observed on the first Thursday in May each year, is an annual day of observance designated by the United States Congress when people are asked “to turn to God in prayer and meditation.”
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The president is required by law to sign a proclamation each year, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.
It’s a day to bring Americans together, regardless of faith, to pray for the nation and its leaders.
Later on Thursday, Trump will travel to where he is expected to draw some protesters despite enjoying a deep well of support in Alabama.
Trump‘s evening remarks in Tuscaloosa will be the Republican president’s first address to graduates in his second term and will come as he has been celebrating the first 100 days of his administration.
The White House did not offer any details about Trump‘s planned message.
Alabama, where Trump won a commanding 64% of the vote in 2024, is where he has staged a number of his trademark large rallies over the past decade. It also is where Trump showed early signs of strength in his first presidential campaign when he began filling stadiums for his rallies.
While the White House has described Trump‘s speech as a commencement address, it is actually a special event that was created before graduation ceremonies that begin Friday. Graduating students have the option of attending the event, but it is not required.
Former Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban is also speaking at the event.
Trump‘s presence has drawn criticism from the Alabama NAACP and the University of Alabama College Democrats.
College Democrats are countering with their own rally calling it “Tide Against Trump” — a play on the university’s nickname. The event will feature onetime presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke of Texas and former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, the last Democrat to hold statewide office in Alabama.
The NAACP said Trump‘s policies are hurting universities and students, particularly students of color.
“The decision for students of color, and really all students, should be to skip his speech and spend that time reflecting on how to make America a more inclusive nation,” said Benard Simelton, president of the Alabama NAACP.
Trump‘s visit to Alabama is his second trip this week. He held a rally in Michigan on Tuesday to mark 100 days in office.
Outside of weekend trips for personal visits, the president has not made many official trips since taking office on Jan. 20. He usually speaks to the public from the impromptu news conferences he holds in the Oval Office and at other events at the White House.
After his stop in Alabama, Trump is scheduled to travel to Florida for a long weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
Next month, he is scheduled to give the commencement address at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York.
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Price reported from New York.