As President Biden faces strong backlash over celebrating March 31 as “Transgender Day of Visibility,” which this year falls on Easter Sunday, the White House issued a response confirming the president's remarks.
White House spokesman Andrew Bates released a statement saying those who criticize Biden's message of inclusion are trying to further divide the country.
“As a Christian who celebrates Easter with family, President Biden stands for bringing people together and respecting the dignity and freedoms of every American,” Bates said in a statement. “Unfortunately, it is no surprise that politicians seek to divide and weaken our country with cruel, hateful, and dishonest rhetoric. President Biden will never abuse his faith for political gain or profit.”
While March 31 has been designated since 2009 to honor the transgender movement internationally, this year it falls on Easter Sunday, one of the most important days for Christians celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
BIDEN SLAMMED ON SOCIAL MEDIA AFTER ANNOUNCING TRANSGENDER VISIBILITY DAY ON EASTER SUNDAY
President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden during the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, April 10, 2023. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images, File)
“On Transgender Day of Visibility, we honor the extraordinary courage and contributions of transgender Americans and reaffirm our nation's commitment to a more perfect Union – where all people are created equal and treated equally. throughout their lives,” the White House said in a statement. Saturday said.
“Today 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 support you.” he. “Now, therefore, I, Joseph R. Biden Jr., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 31, 2024 as Transgender Day of Visibility.
Biden announced Saturday that “Transgender Day of Visibility” would be March 31, the same day as Easter Sunday this year. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Following the announcement, prominent Christians, politicians and commentators on social media unleashed a firestorm of vitriol directed at Biden and his administration.
Former President Trump called for an immediate apology to millions of Christians and Catholics, and his national press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, described Biden's proclamation as an example of “the years-long attack on faith Christian” by the Biden administration.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., accused the Biden administration of betraying what Easter Sunday represents after the White House also banned religious egg designs at its art event Easter, which, like the annual Easter egg roll, is part of the White House Easter Traditions.
“The Biden White House has betrayed the central principle of Easter – which is the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Johnson posted on ' – is outrageous. and heinous. The American people take note.
Franklin Graham, a prominent Christian evangelist and son of the late Billy Graham, wrote that Biden and his administration have “little respect” for God.
“This shows once again how little respect President Biden and his administration have for God,” Graham wrote, in part. “On the most important day in the Christian calendar, when the Church around the world celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ who died and shed his blood for the sins of mankind, the Biden administration is taking this opportunity to display sin, to glorify it and to celebrate sin.”
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves called Biden's statement a “shocking” and “intentional” attempt to insult Christians across America.
BIDENS ANNOUNCES EASTER EGG CHICKEN THEME ON WHITE HOUSE LAWN
“President Biden declared that Easter Sunday is now Transgender Day,” Reeves wrote. “This is an intentional attempt to insult and mock Christians across America. Shocking, but not surprising. In Mississippi, we will proudly celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sinners. “
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem echoed Tate's sentiments, writing that the Biden White House makes it clear that people of faith “have no place in America.”
“Joe Biden and his White House have made it clear that people of faith, especially Christians and our biblical views, have no place in his America. We must change that on November 5th by electing @realdonaldtrump.”
Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy called out Biden in a post on .”
Former Olympic gold medal decathlete Caitlyn Jenner wrote on X that “the only thing you should declare on this day is 'HE is risen'.”
“I am absolutely disgusted that Joe Biden declared the holiest of holy days – a self-proclaimed devout Catholic – as Transgender Day of Visibility,” Jenner wrote. “The only thing you should declare on that day is 'HE is risen'.”
America's top diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, issued his own statement on Sunday saying “Transgender Day of Visibility” is a “celebration” of the “courage and resilience” of trans people, although he noted that it is “clear that much remains to be done”. Work to do.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in his own statement on Sunday that Transgender Day of Visibility was a “celebration” of the “courage and resilience” of trans people, while noting that it is “clear that there is still a lot of work to do.” (Jonathan Ernst/Pool Photo via AP, File)
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Fox News' Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Haley Chi-Sing and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.