President Donald Trump told the audience at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday morning that the United States was founded on the principle of freedom, which he said can only be given by God, not a government entity.
Trump first addressed the crowd's diversity, but added that everyone was unified by their equality and faith.
"The people in this room come from many, many backgrounds," he said. "You represent so many religions and so many views, but we are all united by our faith in our creator, and our firm knowledge that we are all equal in his eyes. We are not just flesh and bone and blood. We are human beings with souls."
"Our republic was formed on the basis that freedom is not a gift from government, but that freedom is a gift from God," Trump said.
The crowd applauded in response.