Christian Daily | Trump’s inauguration to include participation of Franklin Graham, Paula White, Samuel Rodriguez

Franklin Graham, Paula White and Samuel Rodriguez are three of the six prominent religious leaders who will participate in U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 2017 in Washington, D.C., according to the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

Aside from Graham, White and Rodriguez, the participants in Trump’s inauguration next month will include the Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan; Simon Wiesenthal Center’s co-founder Rabbi Marvin Hier, and Bishop Wayne T. Jackson of the Great Faith Ministries International. PIC Chairman Tom Barrack said the six religious leaders will lead prayers and offer readings during the swearing-in ceremony, The Christian Post relays.

“Since the first inaugural ceremony, our leaders have paid tribute to the blessings of liberty that have been bestowed upon our country and its people,” said Barrack in a press release. “I am pleased to announce that a diverse set of faith leaders will offer readings and prayers at the swearing-in of President-elect Trump and honor the vital role religious faith plays in our multicultural, vibrant nation.”

In response to the announcement, Rev. Graham released a Facebook statement conveying his appreciation for his participation in Trump’s inauguration. He said the country and their new president need God’s blessing.

It is worth noting that Graham did not publicly endorse any presidential candidate during the campaign period for the 2016 election. However, he was there when Trump met with more than 900 evangelical leaders in New York.

Like Graham, Rodriguez also welcomed his participation in Trump’s inauguration ceremony. The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference’s president said serving the country through his role in the event is a “sacred duty.”

White, the person who helped lead Trump to Christ, said the inauguration should be used to ask God to guide, bless, and strengthen the nation’s leaders.

Meanwhile, the President-elect’s speech was supposed to be crafted by policy aide Stephen Miller. However, Trump recently revealed that he will be writing his own inaugural address, CNN reports.

Thousand are expected to show up to witness Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20. According to presidential historian Douglas Brinkley, the President-elect wants to come up with a short yet striking piece so as not to leave people standing in the cold for a long time.