Congregation

Through collective physical participation (standing) and silent reverence during the procession and music.

The congregation exerts normative social pressure — their ritual behavior enforces decorum and conceals private conversation from scrutiny.

The congregation's presence reinforces the blending of religious ritual with civic practice in Washington, providing a respectful cover for political actors to carry private emotional and strategic work during public ceremonies.

By physical presence and attentive listening during the sanctuary conversation and after the sermon.

Moral authority subtly informs political legitimacy; the congregation's approval reinforces the President's rhetorical position.

By lending moral credibility to the President's remarks, the congregation helps separate his sermon from partisan interpretation and limits the acceptability of turning the event into purely political theater.

Implicit expectation that sacred space not be exploited for partisan spectacle; deference to clergy and tradition.

Via the physical presence of worshippers and the small-group conversation that frames the President's departure to the steps.

Moral authority subtly shapes the President's conduct, acting as a non-coercive influence on political behavior.

The congregation's presence reframes political speech as moral action, constraining crass political maneuvering and enabling principled argumentation.

Informal hierarchies of respect and ritual propriety overtly limit overt political exploitation of the space.