President Joe Biden rebuked Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) as “misinformed” following accusations that the president had abandoned the essence of Easter by allegedly removing religious symbols from the White House Easter Egg Roll and by designating Easter Sunday as the “Transgender Day of Visibility.”
Johnson took to social media to express his discontent, sharing a post criticizing Biden’s decisions, calling them “outrageous and abhorrent.” He emphasized his stance with screenshots of two headlines, stating that the American people were taking notice.
Addressing Johnson’s assertions during the Easter Egg Roll event on Monday, Biden refuted the claims, stating firmly, “I didn’t do that,” and dismissing Johnson’s remarks as being based on misinformation.
The outcry from Republicans, fueled by these headlines, prompted a response from the White House, clarifying that the International Transgender Day of Visibility coincided with Easter this year and is observed annually on March 31. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the issue during a briefing, expressing surprise at the spread of misinformation and stressing the coincidence of the two events on the calendar.
Jean-Pierre highlighted the tradition dating back to 1978 of not incorporating religious imagery into the White House Easter Egg Roll. Additionally, she emphasized President Biden’s commitment to inclusivity and unity, noting his respect for various religious traditions and his dedication to upholding the dignity and freedoms of all Americans.
Echoing these sentiments, White House spokesman Andrew Bates reiterated Biden’s stance on Easter as a Christian celebration while condemning attempts to exploit faith for political gain. Bates emphasized Biden’s commitment to fostering national unity and criticized divisive rhetoric aimed at sowing discord among Americans.