President Trump reawakens traditional Christian celebrations in the White House with a week of reverent observances scheduled for Holy Week leading up to Easter, marking a notable shift toward prioritizing faith-based traditions.
Quick Takes
- The newly established White House Faith Office has organized an “extraordinary” Holy Week schedule with multiple faith-centered events.
- Trump will issue a presidential Easter proclamation, release a special Holy Week video message, and host a pre-Easter dinner for Christian faith leaders.
- A White House staff Easter worship service featuring notable religious figures will be held on Holy Thursday.
- Trump has pledged to defend religious liberty and Christian faith across various sectors including schools, military, and government.
- The administration presents these observances as a stark contrast to the previous administration’s approach to religious holidays.
White House Faith Office Plans “Extraordinary” Holy Week
President Trump’s newly established White House Faith Office has prepared a comprehensive schedule of events to observe Holy Week with the reverence Christians expect for such a sacred time. Jennifer Korn, the director of the Faith Office, emphasized the administration’s commitment to honoring the religious significance of the Easter season. “The newly created White House Faith Office is grateful to share that President Trump will honor and celebrate Holy Week and Easter with the observance it deserves,” said Korn.
The week of observances began with Trump’s Palm Sunday message in which he reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to protecting religious freedoms. The presidential message highlighted the significance of Holy Week in the Christian calendar and emphasized Trump’s commitment to defending faith in public life. “We will never waver in safeguarding the right to religious liberty, upholding the dignity of life, and protecting God in our public square,” stated Trump.
Comprehensive Holy Week Schedule
The White House has outlined a series of events beginning with a special Holy Week video message to be released on Monday. On Wednesday, the President will host a pre-Easter dinner featuring hymns, Christian opera performances, and prayers from various faith leaders. Attendees will include Christian pastors, priests, and prominent religious figures alongside White House officials, creating an atmosphere of spiritual reflection and celebration rarely seen in recent administrations.
“On Easter morning, the stone is rolled away, the tomb is empty, and light prevails over darkness — signaling that death does not have the final word,” said Trump in his Palm Sunday message.
The Holy Week observances will culminate with a White House staff Easter service on Holy Thursday. This worship service will feature participation from notable religious figures and include worship music provided by Liberty University. The comprehensive schedule represents a clear prioritization of Christian traditions and spiritual reflection within the executive branch.
Faith Office’s Broader Mission
The White House Faith Office was established earlier this year through an executive order as part of President Trump’s commitment to empowering faith-based organizations and defending religious liberty. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted, “President Trump promised millions of Christians across the country that he would create a White House Faith Office, and he delivered on that promise.” The office operates as part of the Domestic Policy Council and serves multiple functions beyond ceremonial events.
“During this sacred week, we acknowledge that the glory of Easter Sunday cannot come without the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross,” Trump stated in his Palm Sunday message.
The Faith Office’s mission includes coordinating with federal agencies on religious liberty training, promoting grant opportunities for faith-based entities, and collaborating with the Attorney General to address gaps in enforcing religious liberty protections. Additionally, a task force has been established to eradicate anti-Christian bias in public policy and government operations.
Contrasting Approaches to Religious Observances
The Trump administration’s Holy Week schedule stands in stark contrast to previous approaches to religious holidays. Press Secretary Leavitt specifically referenced last year’s controversy when the Biden White House marked Easter Sunday alongside Transgender Day of Visibility, which many religious Americans viewed as diminishing the sacred holiday. “We call on Joe Biden’s failing campaign and the White House to issue an apology to the millions of Catholics and Christians across America who believe tomorrow is for one celebration only — the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Leavitt had stated at that time.
The current administration’s prioritization of traditional Christian observances represents a significant shift in how the White House approaches religious holidays and reflects President Trump’s broader commitment to defending religious liberty. This comprehensive celebration of Holy Week signals to religious voters that traditional faith practices have returned to prominence in the White House.
