The Trump campaign condemned the Biden White House Saturday over its declaration of Trans Visibility Day on Easter Sunday.
The Trump campaign called it “appalling” and “insulting” that the Biden White House forbade children from submitting religious egg designs for the annual Art Event and formally proclaimed Easter Sunday as “Trans Day of Visibility.”
“Sadly, these are just two more examples of the Biden Administration’s years-long assault on the Christian faith,” said Trump National Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
“We call on Joe Biden’s failing campaign and White House to issue an apology to the millions of Catholics and Christians across America who believe tomorrow is for one celebration only — the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
The Washington Times reached out to the White House for comment.
Children of National Guard families cannot submit religious-themed Easter eggs for the 2024 “Celebrating National Guard Families” art event at the White House.
The contest is part of the White House’s annual Easter traditions, which include an Egg Roll on the residence’s lawn.
According to the contest flyer, Easter egg art submissions included seven restrictions, which included not allowing egg designs that promoted religious symbols and themes.
• The Submission must not in any way disparage Sponsor or any other person or party.
• The Submission must not contain material that is inappropriate, indecent, obscene hateful, tortious, defamatory, slanderous or libelous.
• The Submission must not contain material that promotes bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age.
• The Submission must not contain material that is unlawful, in violation of or contrary to the laws or regulations of the United States or of any jurisdiction where Submission is created.
• The Submission must not promote illegal drugs or firearms (or the use of any of the foregoing), or any activities that may appear unsafe or dangerous.
• The Submission must not include any questionable content, religious symbols, overtly religious themes, or partisan political statements.
• The Submission must be consistent with the image and values of Sponsor and be consistent with and satisfy the purpose of the submission.
White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates disputed there was any change in submission protocols and posted on X that the “nonpartisan guidelines that have been in operation for ***45 years***. Including during the last administration.”
Mr. Biden made a proclamation Friday declaring March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility, upsetting Christian conservatives who took issue with the president declaring this day the same date as Easter Sunday, which is the holiest day on Christian calendar.
“We send a message to all transgender Americans: You are loved. You are heard. You are understood. You belong. You are America, and my entire Administration and I have your back,” he said.
“I call upon all Americans to join us in lifting up the lives and voices of transgender people throughout our Nation and to work toward eliminating violence and discrimination based on gender identity.”
In another X post, Mr. Bates quoted a Mother Jones article: “Easter can fall on any Sunday from late March to mid-April. So basically, Easter falling on Trans Day of Visibility is no different from when Hannukah fell on Thanksgiving in 2013.”
International Transgender Day of Visibility has been held on March 31 since it was created by transgender activist Rachel Crandall in 2009.
Easter is held the Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox, or March 21, meaning that the date varies from year to year.
Approximately 40,000 people are expected to participate in this year’s Easter Egg Roll, including thousands of military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors. Tickets for the general public were distributed to guests nationwide through an online public lottery.
• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.
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