Former President Donald Trump addressed a group of influential evangelical Christians in Washington, urging them to actively participate in the 2024 election. Speaking at the Faith & Freedom Coalition gathering, Trump passionately implored Christians to exercise their voting rights, stating, "Go and vote, Christians, please!"

During his speech, Trump expressed his support for the display of the Ten Commandments in schools and other public spaces. He highlighted a new law signed in Louisiana, making it the first state to require the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom, describing it as "incredible stuff" and emphasizing the commandment against stealing.

Trump took to his social media network to endorse the new law, expressing his love for the display of the Ten Commandments in public and private schools, as well as other locations. He questioned how the nation could go wrong by adhering to these timeless principles.

The former president, who is widely expected to be the Republican nominee in 2024, seeks to galvanize his support among the religious right. Despite initial skepticism from evangelical Christians during his first presidential run, they have become fervent supporters of Trump. These supporters have continued to stand by him, even after his recent conviction in a criminal case related to a hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels.

Notably, Trump's stance on abortion has created some differences within the evangelical movement. While many members would like to see him take stronger measures to restrict abortion, they view him as a champion for the cause due to his appointment of Supreme Court justices who overturned national abortion rights in 2022.

During his speech, Trump acknowledged this achievement, describing it as "amazing." However, he reiterated that the issue would be left to the states and individual voters to decide, stressing the importance of following one's conscience while also striving for electoral success.

Despite his role in reversing Roe v. Wade, Trump has cautioned that abortion can be politically tricky for Republicans. He has declined to detail his position on a nationwide ban, preferring to leave the issue up to individual states. Recent polling indicates that about two-thirds of Americans believe abortion should generally be legal.

The Faith & Freedom Coalition, which hosted the event, has pledged to actively support Trump and other Republicans in the upcoming elections. They plan to deploy volunteers and paid workers to knock on doors in battleground states, aiming to mobilize their base.

In addition to his focus on evangelical concerns, Trump touched on other topics, including immigration. He made lighthearted remarks about migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, suggesting a hypothetical fighting league between migrants and professional fighters to highlight their toughness.

Several potential running mates for Trump, including Rep. Elise Stefanik, former presidential candidate Ben Carson, and Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake, also spoke at the conference. Ralph Reed, founder and chairman of the Faith & Freedom Coalition, expressed his coalition's desire for Trump to choose a running mate who shares their pro-family, pro-life, and pro-Israel values.

Later in the day, Trump plans to hold a rally in Philadelphia, maintaining his active engagement with his supporters. As the 2024 election draws nearer, his interactions with key constituencies like evangelicals will play a crucial role in determining his path forward.