Trump to Read Scripture From Oval Office in Historic Nationwide Bible Event

Clear Facts

• President Donald Trump will read 2 Chronicles 7:11-22 from the Oval Office during “America Reads the Bible,” a weeklong event marking 250 years of the Bible in America
• The Scripture passage was specifically reserved for Trump due to its historical significance in American prayer life, particularly verse 14’s call to national repentance and healing
• Nearly 500 Americans will participate in the public reading of the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation, running April 19-25 in partnership with the Museum of the Bible

President Donald Trump will participate in a historic nationwide Bible-reading event this week, delivering Scripture from the Oval Office in a moment organizers say carries profound significance for the nation. Trump is scheduled to read 2 Chronicles 7:11-22 as part of “America Reads the Bible,” a weeklong commemoration of 250 years of biblical influence in American life.

The passage was not randomly assigned. Event organizers deliberately reserved it for the president, recognizing its decades-long role as a cornerstone of American prayer and national reflection.

“We needed somebody special to read Second Chronicles chapter seven,” Bunni Pounds, founder and president of Christians Engaged, told Fox News Digital.

“As my director and I were praying over different sections of scripture, it came to us that this is such a critical passage for the body of Christ,” she explained.

The selection carries particular weight because of verse 14, which has been invoked during times of national crisis and spiritual renewal for at least 50 years. The verse reads: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Pounds described the passage as especially relevant to America’s current moment.

“It comes at a time where the Israelites were experiencing hardship and God spoke and said, ‘If my people that are called by my name would humble themselves and pray,'” she said. “We’ve prayed this scripture for at least the last 50 years of American history on National Day of Prayer and other moments in this country.”

“And so we instantly said — who needs to read that? The President of the United States,” she added. “We set it aside for him and have been praying for that for the last year.”

The president’s participation sends a clear message about the role of faith in American public life, according to Pounds.

“I think he’s sending a message that faith matters in this country, and that it’s important not only personally, but for our nation overall,” she said.

Trump’s reading is scheduled for Tuesday evening during a prime-time slot, alongside other prominent figures including former HUD Secretary Ben Carson and members of Congress. The event will feature nearly 500 participants reading the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation over the course of seven days.

Pounds emphasized that the chosen Scripture speaks directly to the nation’s needs.

“We’re making a statement during this week as America reads the Bible, that there is so much in the Bible that we can gain wisdom and discernment from, there is so much that can heal our families, that can rescue us from depression and anxiety and can heal our inner cities and heal our land… I believe the president’s saying that by reading this scripture specifically,” she said.

The White House issued a presidential message commemorating the event, calling the Bible “indelibly woven into our national identity” and encouraging Americans to “rediscover” its foundational role in shaping the country.

The event, held in partnership with the Museum of the Bible, will run from April 19 through April 25. All participants will read from the King James Version Easy Read edition, which has been licensed for the event’s livestream and a planned audiobook compilation.

Participants include a diverse cross-section of Americans, from elected officials and pastors to single parents and small business owners. Notable readers include actress Patricia Heaton, Candace Cameron Bure, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, who will read portions of Genesis during the opening hours.

Worship music will accompany each hour of readings, with various ministries and organizations partnering throughout the week.

Pounds said viewers watching the president’s reading will witness something significant.

“They’re going to see how passionate he is about it, how deliberate he was,” she said. “It really struck me to see the leader of the free world reading scripture from the Oval Office.”

“There’s a humility on him… and I don’t believe that he would have read it if he didn’t believe it,” she added.

“America Reads the Bible” begins 9 a.m. ET Sunday.

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