President Joe Biden is receiving backlash from Donald Trump’s campaign and religious conservatives for declaring March 31 as “Transgender Day of Visibility,” which coincides with Easter Sunday this year.
The Democratic president issued the proclamation on Friday, urging all Americans to support and empower transgender individuals and to strive to eliminate violence and discrimination based on gender identity.
However, in 2024, March 31 falls on Easter, one of Christianity’s most important observances. Trump’s campaign accused Biden, a Roman Catholic, of being insensitive to religion, and fellow Republicans joined in the criticism.
Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign’s press secretary, demanded an apology from Joe Biden and the White House for what she sees as disrespect towards the millions of Catholics and Christians who consider Easter Sunday as a day solely for celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. She condemned the Biden administration’s perceived attack on the Christian faith.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., took to social media to express his view that the Biden administration has forsaken the core principle of Easter and described the decision as “outrageous and abhorrent.”
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates responded by stating that the Republicans criticizing Biden “are seeking to divide and weaken our country with cruel, hateful and dishonest rhetoric.”
Bates added, “As a Christian who celebrates Easter with family, President Biden is committed to bringing people together and upholding the dignity and freedoms of every American. President Biden will never exploit his faith for political gains or financial benefit.”
Biden is known for regularly attending Mass and viewing his Catholic upbringing as a fundamental aspect of his ethics and identity. In 2021, he met with Pope Francis at the Vatican and relayed to reporters that the pontiff considered him a “good Catholic” who should continue to receive Communion.
However, Biden's political positions on same-sex marriage and advocating for women's right to abortion have put him at odds with many conservative Christians.
