Trump vows to safeguard student prayer in public schools: Here’s what’s coming

In a speech at the Bible Museum on Monday, President Donald Trump announced that the Department of Education will soon issue new guidance to protect the right to prayer in public schools, calling it “total protection.

”The president did not provide specifics about what the guidance will entail. But the announcement came as part of a broader address focused on religious liberty, reflecting his administration’s ongoing efforts to defend the interests of religious conservatives.

“It's ridiculous that today's students are indoctrinated with anti-religious propaganda, and some are even punished for their religious beliefs,” Trump told the audience, as reported by Fox News. The remarks highlighted his belief that faith and the nation’s success are inseparable.

“When faith gets weaker, our country seems to get weaker. When faith gets stronger, as it is right now, we're having a very good period of time after some rough years, good things happen for our country. It's amazing the way it seems to work that way.”

Hannah Allen: A student’s story of prayer and pushback

Trump pointed to real-life examples of students affected by restrictions on religious expression. Hannah Allen, a middle school student in Honey Grove, Texas in 2018, was reportedly forced by her school to pray behind a curtain, move to an empty gym, or go outside while praying for an injured peer, Fox News reports. Under pressure from religious liberty groups, the Honey Grove Texas Independent School District eventually reversed its decision.

“I know what you went through. I know what you went through,” Trump said directly to Allen during Monday’s event.

Beyond prayer: School choice and culture

Trump also used the event to reiterate his administration’s push for tax credits for school choice scholarships and efforts to restrict transgender students from participating in sports. Against the backdrop of the Bible Museum, he framed these policies as part of a broader cultural mission: restoring faith in America.In a symbolic gesture, the president announced he donated his Trump family Bible — used during both of his inauguration ceremonies to the museum, cementing the intersection of religion, policy, and personal legacy.

What's coming next?

While the specifics of the Department of Education’s new guidance remain unclear, the president’s speech underscores a growing focus on religious expression in schools. For students and educators, the message is unmistakable: faith is not just personal; in Trump’s vision, it is foundational to national strength and moral education.