White House rips 'hateful, dishonest' GOP outcry over trans visibility day falling on Easter

WASHINGTON ― The White House pushed back Monday at outcries from Republicans over President Joe Biden's recognition of the Transgender Day of Visibility, which fell on Easter Sunday, calling out "misinformation" that led to the controversy.

"He’s thoroughly uninformed," Biden said during Monday's White House Easter Egg Roll when asked about criticism from House Speaker Mike Johnson, who wrote on X that Biden "betrayed the central tenet of Easter" by recognizing a day of awareness for transgender people on the same day as Easter.

In a proclamation issued Friday, Biden declared March 31 the "Transgender Day of Visibility," consistent with the same date that since 2009 has annually been used to celebrate the successes of transgender and non-binary people and to bring awareness to discrimination against the trans community.

Republicans responded furiously over the weekend, accusing Biden of seeking to undermine the Easter holiday.

"The American people are taking notes," said Johnson, who in the same X post falsely accused Biden of "banning sacred truth and tradition" by not allowing religious-themed eggs at the White House Easter Egg Roll, which was held Monday before a record crowd.

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White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded to the Republican backlash at a briefing with reporters Monday, accusing politicians of intentionally spreading misinformation.

"Sadly − and it's not surprising, it is actually unsurprising − politicians are seeking to divide and weaken our country with cruel, hateful and dishonest rhetoric. It is dishonest what we have heard the past 24 hours. It is untrue what we heard over the weekend," Jean-Pierre said.

She said March 31, when Transgender Day of Visibility is celebrated each year, happened to fall this year on Easter Sunday, which is celebrated on different Sundays each year based on the calendar.

"That is the simple fact," Jean-Pierre said.

The campaign of Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, on Saturday called on Biden's campaign and the White House to "issue an apology to the millions of Catholics and Christians across America who believe (Easter Sunday) is for one celebration only — the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

Republican Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves wrote on X: "This is an intentional attempt to insult and mock Christians across America. Shocking - but not surprising."

Meanwhile, Speaker Johnson's accusation about Easter eggs was referring to language in the American Egg Board's guidelines that does not allow overtly religious-themed designs for the White House Egg Roll. The rules have been in place for 45 years across presidencies of both parties including Trump's White House.

Jean-Pierre said Biden "will never abuse his faith for political purposes" or stop standing with transgender people.

"As a Christian, who celebrates Easter with family, President Biden stands for bringing people together and upholding the dignity and freedoms of every American," she said. "This misinformation out there, it's just bad."

Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison.