President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE told reporters that they were allowed to stay for his prayer with Cabinet secretaries on Wednesday because "you need it more than I do."

"You need the prayer more than I do, I think. You may be the only ones," he said, to laughter from the Cabinet.

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"We thank you for the president and for Cabinet members who are courageous, who are willing to face the winds of controversy in order to provide a better future for those who come behind us," Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson Benjamin (Ben) Solomon CarsonState AGs condemn HUD rule allowing shelters to serve people on basis of biological sex Biden cannot keep letting Trump set the agenda The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump heads to New Hampshire after renomination speech MORE said in the prayer.

"We're thankful for the unity in Congress that has presented an opportunity for our economy to expand so we can fight the coercive debt that has been destroying our future. And we hope that unity will expand beyond party lines," he added.

"In this time of discord, distrust and dishonesty, we ask that you would give us a spirit of gratitude, compassion and common sense," and wisdom, "in the name of the father, the son and the Holy Spirit," Carson concluded.

The president did not take questions, including a shouted one about whether the tax bill benefited him personally.

Trump's comments come as the Senate passed the final GOP tax bill early Wednesday morning, with the measure expected to pass in the House after it votes on the measure again.

The Republican tax bill will mark Trump's first major legislative victory since taking office on Jan. 20.