Several conservative media did not “hesitate” this weekend in covering the news White Houseannual Easter celebrations, accusing him of banning religious themes from the annual children’s egg decorating competition – even though these guidelines predated the Biden administration, according to the first lady’s office.
A prospectus broadcast by the National Guard Adjutant Generals inviting children of National Guard members to submit Easter eggs to the White House contest is causing controversy, with outlets like Fox News and The Daily Caller writing articles claiming the administration was banning religious themes in this year’s competition.
Indeed, this year’s flyer states that decorated Easter eggs “should not include questionable content, religious symbols, overtly religious themes, or partisan political statements.”
But the White House and the American Egg Board have rejected the idea that the restrictions are new, saying rules banning religious symbols have been in place for years.
Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board, a group that supports the White House Easter Egg Roll, said in a statement: “The American Egg Board supports the White House Easter Egg Roll. White House for over 45 years and the guideline The language mentioned in recent reporting has been consistently applied to the board since its inception, across all administrations.
Likewise, the White House stressed that guidelines banning religious themes in eggs have been in place for decades and are not the result of a new policy from the Biden administration.
“The standard non-discrimination language of the American Egg Board flyer requesting artwork has been used for the past 45 years, by all Democratic and Republican administrators – for all WH Easter egg rolls – including previous administrations,” said the first lady’s communications director, Elizabeth Alexander, said in an article on X.
And White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said it was “no surprise” that some “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,” Bates added, emphasizing that Biden is “a Christian who celebrates Easter with family.”
The Biden administration was also targeted this Easter holiday for a statement recognizing Sunday as Transgender Day of Visibility.
President Joe Biden actually did it issue a proclamation recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility – as well as proclamations declaring 11 other holidays, including Cesar Chavez Day and Arab American Heritage Month.
March 31 has been Transgender Day of Visibility every year since 2010, according to GLAAD. This year, Easter falls on March 31.
