To mark the National Day of Prayer he declared, President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, attended a service at St. John’s Church. An Episcopal church located across Lafayette Square and the White House, it is known as the “Church of the Presidents.”
Melania Trump, who is Catholic, tweeted about the “beautiful service,” also wishing “many blessings” on behalf of herself and her husband.
Beautiful service today at St. John’s. @potus and I wishing you many blessings on this National Day of Prayer.
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) September 3, 2017
The Trump family has been criticized for rarely attending church services, but the president has also drawn attention for his show of solidarity to the victims of Hurricane Harvey. The natural disaster prompted such a declaration, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott had also made such a declaration for his state.
The National Day of Prayer was not the only way in which the First Family reached out to the victims. Trump has donated $1 million of his own personal finances to assist Texans, and has made two trips so far to Texas.
READ: President Trump Just Donated a LOT of Cash to Hurricane Harvey Victims
The president has given assurances that there are also federal funds to provide aid to victims. Vice-President Mike Pence mentioned a figure of 500,000 qualifying Americans during last week’s interview with “The Rush Limbaugh Show.”
As the rain stops and residents are able to return from their homes, issues may continue to arise. A report estimates that “most” residents do not have the proper insurance to cover all the damage.
READ: Report: ‘Most’ Hurricane Harvey Victims May Not Have the Right Insurance
Trump had quite the busy holiday weekend, in fact, as his attending services came the day after he made his second trip to Texas. Where Trump had been criticized by some for not doing enough for the victims, coverage of the president posing and smiling for hugs and selfies with families, many of them with children, has shown a more compassionate side of the president. He was able to visit Houston on this more recent trip, one of the areas hit hardest by the storm.
Marking a National Day of Prayer follows the tradition of other presidents, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Ronald Reagan.