Trump warns 'Godless communists' will 'close your churches' if they gain power

1. Trump discusses the role of faith in US history and the nation's future 

With the nation's 250th anniversary approaching next week, Trump repeatedly pointed to Christianity as the driving force behind America's founding and success.

"Our founders invoked the Creator four times in the Declaration of Independence," he said. "Faith pushed the pioneers to journey west. Faith led Americans to abolish slavery and faith built this country into the most exceptional nation in the history of the world."

"Americans have always deeply believed in the promise of Christ's words in the Gospel of Matthew: 'With God all things are possible,'" he added.

Trump also referenced last month's Rededicate 250 event on the National Mall, where thousands gathered to pray for the nation.

"That's why, as we prepared to enter the 250th year last month, tens of thousands of patriots came together on our National Mall and we officially rededicated America as one nation under God."

"We always have been and we always will," Trump said.

Later in his remarks, Trump mentioned the War of 1812 and how it inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem that would eventually become the National Anthem.  

“What few realize is that the very same poem also inspired our national motto,” the president said. “The fourth verse of the song ends in these words, ‘and this be our motto, In God We Trust.’”