NEWS PROVIDED BY
Christian Defense Coalition
May 7, 2025

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2025 /Standard Newswire/ — National and international headlines and news stories reported that Bishop William Barber was “arrested while praying at the US Capitol” on Monday, April 28th.

Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition based in Washington, challenged the “alleged” prohibition on prayer by walking throughout the US Capitol on Tuesday, May 6, publicly praying out loud.

Here is a short video of Rev. Mahoney praying in the Capitol Rotunda.

Rev. Mahoney wanted to ensure public prayer and freedom of religion were allowed and protected in the United States Capitol Building.

Here is what Rev. Mahoney’s public prayer witness at the Capitol established:

• Public prayer is allowed in the United States Capitol Building and is not illegal or prohibited.
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• What is prohibited and illegal are demonstrations which include: “people gathering or individually drawing attention to themselves inside the Capitol Building to express support for or disapproval of an identified action or viewpoint.”

Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, states:

“The United States Capitol should be a safe place for people to pray, regardless of what their political or religious views might be, without government intimidation, harassment or arrest. When I heard there was an 'alleged' prohibition of public prayer at the Capitol, I knew it had to be challenged.

“On Tuesday, May 6, I walked and publicly prayed throughout much of the United States Capitol building. I prayed for spiritual awakening, revival and cultural transformation. I prayed for America to embrace human rights and justice for the marginalized and disenfranchised, for God to protect Haitian immigrants, and for our nation to love our neighbors.

“I also publicly asked God to guide the members of Congress in making and passing critical legislation which benefit all our citizens and help heal our nation.

“There were no arrests, threats or harassment by law enforcement as it became clear public prayer is allowed in the United States Capitol Building and religious freedom is protected.”

Rev. Mahoney has won several historic federal lawsuits which have reopened the Capitol grounds to religious freedom, free speech and other peaceful 1st Amendment activities.