White House responds to GOP criticism as Transgender Day of Visibility falls on Easter

The White House on Saturday responded to Republican criticism that Transgender Visibility Day, which is celebrated every March 31, falls on Easter.

Republicans criticized the president after President Biden issued a statement on Friday. declarationrecognized March 31 as Transgender Visibility Day, as he has done every year he was in the Oval Office.

Easter this year falls on March 31, so Republicans, from the Trump campaign to the House leadership, went after Biden for mocking the faith.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana): “The Biden White House has betrayed the central tenet of Easter: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Said Saturday X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Trump campaign said in a statement that the president “should apologize to the millions of Catholics and Christians across America who believe that tomorrow is a celebration of one thing: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Conservatives criticized the president, who is Catholic, for undermining faith by issuing the event declaration on the same day as Easter, an important religious holiday.

White House press secretary Andrew Bates responded Saturday.

“As a Christian who celebrates Easter with my family, President Biden stands in a position to unite people and protect the dignity and freedoms of all Americans,” Bates said in a statement to multiple news outlets.

“Unfortunately, it is no surprise that politicians seek to divide and weaken our country with cruel, hateful, and dishonest rhetoric. Never abuse your faith.”

Transgender Visibility Day began 15 years ago to celebrate transgender people and point out the discrimination they face. Easter falls on a different date each year.