President Donald Trump announced a significant new initiative during his February 5, 2026 speech at the National Prayer Breakfast, unveiling guidance from the U.S. Department of Education designed to protect students’ rights to voluntary prayer and religious expression in public schools. “Today, I’m also pleased to announce that the Department of Education is officially issuing its new guidance to protect the right to prayer in our public schools. That’s a big deal!” Trump stated to an enthusiastic audience.

The guidance clarifies how public schools can accommodate student prayer without violating federal law, framing the measure as a major step forward for religious liberty. Trump emphasized that the policy reflects his administration’s commitment to ensuring that students can freely exercise their faith while attending public education institutions.

This initiative aligns with Trump’s broader agenda to expand school choice and bolster parental authority in education, even as it contrasts with his 2024 campaign pledge to abolish the Department of Education entirely. Although the DOE was established in 1979 and Trump had previously issued an executive order initiating steps toward closure, the department remains operational, now taking a high-profile role in protecting religious rights under Trump’s guidance.

The announcement reinforces Trump’s messaging on faith and freedom, highlighting his administration’s ongoing efforts to prioritize constitutional protections for students while navigating the complex interplay between public education policy and religious expression.