Faith & Freedom: Trump Lays Out Plan to 'Protect and Defend' Christians

WASHINGTON -- Republican presumptive nominee Donald Trump decided to do things a little differently at the Faith & Freedom's Road to Majority conference in nation's capital Friday.

In a very "non-Trump" move he decided to use a teleprompter as he carefully laid out his plan to "protect and defend" the Christian community.

The presumptive nominee also discussed the need to support Israel and religious freedom in the United States.

Trump spoke with CBN News Chief Political Correspondent David Brody after the speech. Brody asked him whether or not he felt the United States should be defined as a Judeo-Christian nation. Watch the interview above.

"Well that's the way it is, and we want freedom for everybody, and we want good things for everybody. But everybody has to be cognizant of the fact that we need a safe country and that's why I talk about radical Islam and terrorism," Trump said.

When asked if he would "turn down" some of the controversial rhetoric that has come to define him,Trump gave a mixed response.

"Well, you have to be who you are. I've gotten the largest number of votes in the history of Republican politics, by far, and so I want to keep doing what we're doing. But if you ask me to tone it down I'll tone it down," Trump laughed.

He also used the speech to reiterate his support of the pro-life community. It's no secret Trump has had a shaky relationship with the pro-lifers in the past but conservative women groups seem to be warming up to the idea of a President Trump.

"From what I hear he has been very consistent in meeting with the conservative community and the life community and being there in support," Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., told CBN News.

Trump was the final speaker of the day at the event put on by the conservative Faith and Freedom Coalition. He used the opportunity to sway the largely Christian crowd. Click here or a full schedule of speakers

He will also hold a closed-door meeting with many evangelical leaders later this month.

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, will be in that meeting. CBN News asked Perkins how Trump can narrow the gap between himself and evangelicals.

"His vice-presidential pick is going to be extremely important. I think it needs to be somebody that has a relationship with the evangelical community, which he really has not had," Perkins said.

"A good faith gesture would be that he is not going to manipulate the Republican party platform because that is right around the corner," he said.

"I don't think he can necessary transcend the theological differences from a stand point of evangelicals and the centrality of their faith. He can't rewrite the narrative of his business career. But I think he can say,' I'm going to protect your right to believe. I understand how important you are to American and America's moral fabric and I'm going to fight for you,' Perkins continued.

The Road to Majority Conference is an annual event that brings some of the nation's top evangelical and conservative leaders to Washington, D.C.

This year speakers included Donald Trump, Carly Fiorina, Sen. Marco Rubio, Dr. Ben Carson and Sen. Rand Paul.

Concerned Women for America cosponsored the conference.

"This is an opportunity to motivate conservatives to unite as well as a time for the grassroots to share their hearts on key issues with elected officials and the heads of conservative organizations," CWA President Penny Nance said.

The three day conference wraps up Saturday, June 11.