(NewsNation) — After being sworn in on Monday, President Donald Trump is marking his first full day in office.
On Tuesday morning, he went to a prayer service at Washington National Cathedral.
Leaders from nearly a dozen different religions were on hand for the service, which has been a post-inaugural tradition since former President Franklin D. Roosevelt was in office.
Along with first lady Melania Trump, the president was also joined by Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance.
The service is meant to be a way to push past the divisiveness of the 2024 election, staffers say, and wasn’t designed with one particular candidate in mind.
It’s a message the president tried to convey at the Commander in Chief Ball on Monday evening when speaking to the troops.
“Your bravery inspires us. Your service unites us, and your sacrifice and spirit protect us all,” Trump said. “We love you, we respect you so much, and we have a big commitment to each and every one of you. Starting today, America will be stronger and greater than it’s ever been before.”
In her remarks at Tuesday’s service, the Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde addressed Trump’s policies on immigrants and those in the LGBTQ+ community.
“Mr. President, millions have put their trust in you,” Budde said. “I ask you to have mercy upon people in our country who are scared. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives and their people.”
Trump signed a number of executive orders Monday, including one making it so the federal government only recognizes two sexes, male and female, and another declaring a national emergency at the border.
In addition, Trump has said he wants to begin mass deportation raids.
When it came to immigration, Budde asked Trump to be compassionate to those “whose children fear that their parents will be taken away.”
“They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors,” Budde said. “Our God teaches us to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land.”
Trump starts second term
Shortly after being sworn in, Trump signed a slew of executive orders relating to diversity, equity and inclusion programs within the federal government, gender identity, border security and other issues.
In addition, Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick for secretary of state, was confirmed in a 99-0 vote Monday night.
John Ratcliffe, Trump’s nominee to lead the CIA; Pete Hegseth, nominee for head of the Department of Defense; Kristi Noem, nominee for secretary of Homeland Security; and Russ Vought, nominee for chief of the Office of Management and Budget are all in position for a full vote in the Senate. Their confirmations have been passed by Senate committees.
Trump’s U.N. ambassador nominee, Elise Stefanik, backed his decision to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization at her own confirmation hearing Tuesday.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune are heading to the White House and are expected to meet with Trump on Tuesday.
The Associate Press contributed to this report.
