Trump calls for ‘focus on Christ’s redeeming sacrifice’ as White House celebrates Holy Week, Easter

The White House is kicking off a week-long Holy Week and Easter observance as part of its promise to “defend the Christian faith” and protect religion in the “public square.”

The newly created White House Faith Office is organizing a lineup of events to give the sacred Christian week celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ “the observance it deserves,” Faith Office director Jennifer Korn said in a statement provided to The Lion. 

“Throughout the week, we will distribute a Holy Week Proclamation, special Presidential video message, host a pre-Easter dinner and White House staff Easter Service,” she said. “It will be a special time of prayer and worship at the White House to be shared with Americans celebrating the week leading up to Resurrection Sunday.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the observance marks a sharp reversal from the Biden administration. 

“The White House Faith Office has put together an extraordinary week-long celebration for Holy Week ahead of Easter Sunday,” Leavitt said in a statement provided to The Lion. “This is another sharp contrast from the previous Administration, which shamefully proclaimed Easter as Trans Visibility Day.” 

Last Easter, former President Joe Biden put out a lengthy declaration honoring the “extraordinary courage and contributions of transgender Americans” and criticizing Republican bills to protect children from so-called “gender transitions.” Meanwhile, he issued only a brief statement regarding Easter. 

Although “Transgender Day of Visibility,” which began in 2009, is always on March 31, the Biden administration faced fierce backlash for celebrating transgenderism on the most solemn and holy day for many Christians. The Trump campaign at the time called for the White House to publicly apologize to the millions of American Christians who believe that Easter Sunday “is for one celebration only – the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”  

This Easter, President Donald Trump said in a “Presidential Message on Holy Week” he and First Lady Melania Trump will “join in prayer with Christians celebrating the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ – the living Son of God who conquered death, freed us from sin, and unlocked the gates of Heaven for all of humanity.” 

The week leading up to Easter is a “time of reflection for Christians to memorialize Jesus’ crucifixion,” the message also said, and a time to prepare for the Resurrection.  

“During this sacred week, we acknowledge that the glory of Easter Sunday cannot come without the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross,” the presidential statement continued. “In His final hours on Earth, Christ willingly endured excruciating pain, torture, and execution on the cross out of a deep and abiding love for all His creation. Through His suffering, we have redemption. Through His death, we are forgiven of our sins. Through His Resurrection, we have hope of eternal life.” 

Trump, both on the campaign trail and since taking office in January, has repeatedly promised to defend religious references in public spaces. The White House said that during Holy Week, the Trump administration will renew “its promise to defend the Christian faith in our schools, military, workplaces, hospitals, and halls of government.” 

“We will never waver in safeguarding the right to religious liberty, upholding the dignity of life, and protecting God in our public square,” the White House said. “We pray that America will remain a beacon of faith, hope, and freedom for the entire world, and we pray to achieve a future that reflects the truth, beauty, and goodness of Christ’s eternal kingdom in Heaven.”