WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is facing criticism from Donald Trump’s campaign and religious conservatives for announcing March 31, which this year falls on Easter Sunday. “Transgender Day of Visibility.”
The Democratic president called on “all Americans to join us in uplifting the lives and voices of transgender people across our nation and to work to end violence and discrimination based on gender identity,” the Democratic president announced Friday.
However, in 2024, the date of March 31 coincides with Easter, one of the holiest Christian holidays. Trump’s campaign accused Biden, a Roman Catholic, of religious indifference, and fellow Republicans rallied.
“We call on Joe Biden’s failed campaign and the White House to apologize to the millions of Catholics and Christians in America who believe tomorrow is only for one holiday – the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Trump campaign press secretary Caroline Leavitt said. He criticized what he called the Biden administration’s “year-long assault on the Christian faith.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said on social media that the “Biden White House betrayed the central tenet of the Passover holiday” and called the decision “outrageous and abhorrent.”
White House spokesman Andrew Bates said Republicans criticizing Biden are “trying to divide and weaken our country with vicious, hateful and dishonest rhetoric.”
“As a Christian who celebrates Easter with his family, President Biden is committed to bringing people together and defending the dignity and freedoms of every American,” Bates said. “President Biden will never abuse his faith for political gain or gain.”
Advocacy group GLAAD said in a statement that people can celebrate Easter and show support for the trans community.
“The date of Easter changes every year, Trans Day of Visibility is always recognized on March 31st, but this year right-wing politicians and talking heads are using the random timing to overshadow the hope and joy that Easter represents,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD president and CEO.
Biden was the first to make a statement Transgender visibility in 2021. Proclamations are generally statements of the president about public policy. But the recent transgender announcement, coinciding with this year’s Easter holiday and the tension of the presidential campaign, has many Republicans questioning Democrats’ religious beliefs.
Biden devoutly attends Mass and credits his Catholic upbringing as a central part of his spirituality and personality. In 2021, he He met with Pope Francis At the Vatican and later told reporters that the pontiff said he was a “good Catholic” who should continue to receive communion.
But Biden’s political stance on gay marriage and his support for women’s abortion rights have put him at odds with many conservative Christians.