President Trump used the National Day of Prayer on Thursday to describe how God helps him deal with challenges and "witch hunts."

"People say how do you get through that whole stuff?" he told a gathering of religious leaders in the White House Rose Garden, turning to Vice President Mike Pence.

"How do you go through those witch hunts and everything else? And you know what we do, Mike? We just do it, right? And we think about God," Trump said.

Trump has repeatedly called the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller a "witch hunt."

The thrice-married billionaire is not known to be a regular churchgoer. However, he has spoken more frequently about faith since taking office.

During the event, he also claimed victory in his campaign to restore the expression "Merry Christmas" to popular use before condemning recent violent attacks on places of worship, including in Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Pittsburgh.

"As we unite on this day of prayer, we renew our resolve to protect communities of faith and ensure that all people and all of our people can live, pray and worship in peace," he said.

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