Egg Board says White House Easter policy existed under Trump after conservative attacks

The National Egg Board and the Biden administration on Monday dismissed outrage over the White House’s Easter egg roll and decorating contest after conservatives criticized a decades-old policy banning religious symbolism.

a flyer The annual White House Egg Decoration Contest says participants “must not include questionable content, religious symbolism, overtly religious themes, or partisan political statements.” The policy also prohibits racist or bigoted symbolism.

In addition to Republican backlash over President Biden’s recognition of Transgender Day of Visibility on Easter Sunday, Trump campaign spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said of the policy: “It’s appalling and insulting.” Biden, a devout Catholic, accused Christians of leading a “year-long attack on the Christian faith.”

Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) was among the politicians who expressed concern.

“Christ is King” Collins I wrote to Xformerly Twitter, fox news post About this policy, which falsely claimed to be new this year.

But the American Egg Board clarified Sunday that the policy is part of the group’s standard requirements for public events and has been in place for decades.

“The American Egg Board has supported the White House Easter Egg Roll for more than 45 years, and the guideline language referenced in recent reports has been consistent across administrations since its founding,” CEO Emily Metz said in a statement. It has been applied to the Board of Directors.” .

The White House also silenced criticism, with first lady communications director Elizabeth Alexander calling the controversy a “misleading vortex.”

“The standard non-discriminatory language requiring artwork on American Egg Board flyers has been applied to every WH Easter Egg Roll for the past 45 years by every administrator, Democratic and Republican, including those from the previous administration. It has been used,” Alexander said. I wrote to X.

The Trump campaign and conservatives have also criticized Biden for endorsing Trans Visibility Day, with some accusing him of pushing religion aside. Trans Visibility Day falls on March 31st every year, and this year it just so happens to coincide with Easter.

White House Press Secretary Andrew Bates on Saturday responded to criticism from former President Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) and others.

“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.

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