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A Historic Start in the White House
President Donald J. Trump commenced his first cabinet meeting of his second term on February 26, 2025, with a moment that resonated deeply with traditional values: a prayer led by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner. Held in the West Wing’s Cabinet Room, this gathering of confirmed appointees and key advisors marked a bold return to faith-based leadership, setting a tone of reverence and purpose for the administration’s agenda.
Turner, standing beside the President, delivered a heartfelt invocation that acknowledged divine guidance and thanked God for the opportunity to serve. The prayer, offered in Jesus’ name, underscored a commitment to governing with righteousness, a gesture that harkened back to America’s foundational principles and stood out as a defining feature of the meeting’s outset.
Scott Turner’s Role and Background
Scott Turner, the 19th HUD Secretary, brought a unique blend of experience to the cabinet table. A former NFL player and Texas state legislator, Turner also served as an associate pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church, equipping him with a strong spiritual foundation that shone through in his prayer. His prior role during Trump’s first term as executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council further highlighted his dedication to uplifting distressed communities.
In his invocation, Turner expressed gratitude for President Trump’s leadership and sought wisdom for Vice President J.D. Vance and the cabinet. His words reflected a belief in divine anointing for their roles, a perspective that aligns with a view of governance as a sacred trust, reinforcing the administration’s intent to prioritize faith and service.
The Prayer’s Content and Impact
Turner’s prayer was rich with biblical references, citing that God’s ‘mercies are new every morning’ and that ‘blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.’ He asked for ‘righteous clarity’ in leadership and humility in service, framing the administration’s mission as a calling to restore faith across the country. The room, filled with cabinet secretaries and advisors, responded with a collective ‘Amen,’ signaling unity in this vision.
The decision to broadcast this prayer live forced every major news network to air a distinctly Christian message, an outcome that amplified its reach. For many, it symbolized a reclaiming of spiritual heritage in the halls of power, offering a stark contrast to secular trends and reaffirming a commitment to governing under higher principles.
A Cabinet of Notable Figures
The meeting showcased a robust lineup of Trump’s appointees, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, alongside Vice President Vance. Notably, two former Democratic presidential candidates—Kennedy and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard—joined the ranks, illustrating Trump’s knack for assembling a diverse yet unified team.
President Trump praised the group as potentially the strongest cabinet in U.S. history, a sentiment echoed by advisor Elon Musk, who highlighted their talent and dedication. This blend of seasoned leaders and fresh voices underscored the administration’s readiness to tackle pressing issues with vigor and conviction.
DOGE and Efficiency Take Center Stage
Following the prayer, the meeting pivoted to practical governance, with Elon Musk addressing the Department of Government Efficiency’s efforts to streamline federal operations. Musk clarified a recent email to federal workers as a ‘pulse check’ to identify active employees, humorously noting the possibility of payrolls including ‘dead’ or ‘fictional’ individuals. This initiative, already identifying significant savings at HUD, reflected a broader push to eliminate waste.
Trump emphasized the urgency of reducing costs, citing skyrocketing prices for essentials like eggs as a problem inherited from prior mismanagement. The administration’s focus on efficiency, paired with its spiritual opening, painted a picture of a government determined to serve its people both practically and morally.