This Easter Sunday, the Trump administration shifted from tradition by using official social media platforms to celebrate the holiday, a step further than statements issued by past presidents. Several major Cabinet departments took to social media to mark the occasion.
The Department of Homeland Security and the State Department both shared the message, “He is risen,” highlighting the significance of Easter Sunday.
The Defense Department joined in, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posting on X: “The tomb is empty. The promise is fulfilled. Through His sacrifice, we are redeemed. We stand firm in faith, courage, and truth.”
Adding their voice, the Justice Department also made a statement on X.
“Today, as millions of Christians gather in their churches across the nation to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, this Department —- is proud to protect and defend religious liberty,” they stated.
The social media posts sparked a lively discussion, receiving thousands of comments. While some praised the departments for openly acknowledging Christianity, others criticized them, arguing that government entities should remain neutral on religious matters.
Hegseth frequently invokes his evangelical faith as head of the armed forces, depicting a Christian nation trying to vanquish its foes with military might.
Last week, Hegseth hosted his first monthly Christian worship service at the Pentagon since the Iran war began.
“Let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation,” Hegseth prayed during the livestreamed service. “Give them wisdom in every decision, endurance for the trial ahead, unbreakable unity, and overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.”
Trump, in a statement issued on Good Friday, evoked the Iran war only indirectly.
“From the Christian patriots who won and secured our liberty on the battlefield and every generation since, the love of Christ has unfailingly guided our Nation through calm waters and dark storms,” he said.
On Easter Sunday morning, his tone was harsher. In a profanity-laced post on Truth Social, he demanded that Iran open the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday, “or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a nationwide advocacy group, responded by assailing Trump’s “deranged mocking of Islam.”
Statements of faith are common in American public life, across political parties and religious traditions. Pentagon aides and Hegseth’s defenders cite examples from history, such as President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s support for issuing Bibles to troops.
But the overall tradition, widely adhered to over the decades, has been for presidents and their administrations to honor the constitutional separation of church and state, and avoid a clearcut favoring of one faith over others.
Past presidents had various tones in their Easter messages. Republican George W. Bush, in 2003, explicitly celebrated the resurrection of Christ. Republican Ronald Reagan and Democrat Barack Obama sometimes issued messages recognizing both Easter and Passover.
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