Trump admin updates: White House officials hold prayer vigil for Charlie Kirk

Republican lawmakers gathered at the Kennedy Center.

ByKevin Shalvey, Alexandra Hutzler, and Ivan Pereira
Last Updated: September 14, 2025, 9:58 PM EDT

White House officials and Republican lawmakers gathered at the Kennedy Center at 6 p.m. to hold a prayer vigil in remembrance of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

On Saturday, after long promising to impose consequences on Russia in an effort to get President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table to end the war in Ukraine, President Donald Trump pressed NATO nations to join him before he imposes potential sanctions.

Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that there is an appetite in Congress to impose sanctions on Russia, which he said are "overdue."

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Here's how the news is developing.
Sep 08, 2025, 11:01 AM EDT

Trump says he gave his family Bible to the Museum of the Bible

President Donald Trump announced on Monday he gave his family bible to be put on display at the Museum of the Bible.

"For thousands of years, the Bible has shaped civilization, ethics, art and literature, and it's brought hope, healing, and transformation to untold millions and millions of lives. The Bible is also an important part of the American story," Trump said.

That's why I'm delighted to announce that just moments ago, I have personally delivered the Trump family Bible given to me by my mother, I remember the time she gave it to me, but it was used in both my inaugurations ... and I guess it will now be displayed right in the heart of our nation's capital, right here. And that's an honor."

President Donald Trump speaks at a hearing of the Religious Liberty Commission at the Museum of the Bible, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Washington.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

The announcement came as Trump addressed the White House Religious Liberty Commission at the museum.

Sep 08, 2025, 10:46 AM EDT

Trump says, 'We have to bring back religion in America'

President Trump spoke to the White House Religious Liberty Commission at the Museum of the Bible in Washington on Monday morning.

"America was founded on faith, as we know, and I've been saying it for a long time, when faith gets weaker, our country seems to get weaker," the president said. He added, "And under the Trump administration, we're defending our rights and restoring our identity as a nation under God. We are one nation under God, and we always will."

"We have to bring back religion in America, bring it back stronger than ever before," Trump said.

Members of the commission include Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Ben Carson and Paula White.

Sep 08, 2025, 6:29 AM EDT

Trump to deliver remarks at Museum of the Bible

President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks at the Museum of the Bible on Monday morning, according to the White House.

PHOTO: A presidential aircraft departs the White House in Washington, D.C. U.S., Sept. 7, 2025.
A presidential aircraft departs the White House, as members of the National Guard patrol on foot at the National Mall, weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered an increased presence of federal law enforcement to assist in crime prevention, in Washington, D.C. U.S., Sept. 7, 2025.
Daniel Becerril/Reuters

The president is expected to address the White House Religious Liberty Commission at 10:10 a.m. ET, according to his official schedule.

-ABC News’ Fritz Farrow

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