Dem Claims ‘Christian Prayer’ Should Not Be Allowed In Capitol, Protests National Prayer Breakfast

California Democratic Rep. Jared Hoffman protested the National Prayer Breakfast Thursday, claiming it violates the separation between church and state.

The congressman said in an X video that “Christian prayer” should not be allowed in the Capitol building and that the government needs to “build a wall” between church and state to uphold a “secular republic.” (RELATED: Blue State Bill Would Force Catholic Priests To Violate Church Law)

“Hi Folks, just getting ready to cross the street for the National Prayer Breakfast,” Huffman said in the video taken outside of the Capitol. “I am not going to this event because I support it, I’m actually going to protest it.”

Speaker Johnson’s National Prayer Breakfast is yet another example of MAGA Republicans taking a sledgehammer to the wall between church and state. Walk with me to protest this morning… pic.twitter.com/rGGGqznb8p

— Rep. Jared Huffman (@RepHuffman) February 6, 2025

Huffman went on to show several buttons he wore to the event, one that said “Build This Wall” with an image of the Capitol building and a church, and another that said “Entering Gilead” to reference the “creepy dystopic theocracy” he said is the “slippery slope we’re heading down with events like this.”

“So look, we should not be having a Christian prayer in the sanctum of the United States Capitol in Statuary Hall,” Huffman continued. “This is an actual violation of the church-state separation like we’ve never seen.”

The National Prayer Breakfast has hosted members of the government for a time of nonpartisan prayer since 1953, though this is the first year the event was held at the Capitol. Christian prayer has been a routine part of the U.S. government since its inception, and Congress still begins with a prayer at the start of every session. (RELATED: ‘Sign Of Great Hope’: Religious Leaders See A ‘Fourth Great Awakening’ As Americans Flock To Christianity)

Huffman has led multiple efforts to strip churches and religious organizations of their tax-exempt statuses. The representative has denied any formal religious affiliation and describes himself as a “humanist.”

President Donald Trump delivered remarks at the event stating his intention to “bring God back” to America and address the years of “anti-Christian bias” and “targeting” of Christians that occurred under the Biden Administration, according to the Associated Press.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].