The American Egg Board and the Biden administration dismissed anger over the White House Easter Egg Roll and decorating contest Monday after conservatives criticized a decades-old policy banning religious symbolism.
A flyer for the annual White House egg decorating contest says participants “must not include any questionable content, religious symbols, overtly religious themes, or partisan political statements.” The policy also bans any racist or bigoted symbolism.
Adding to GOP pushback to President Biden recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility on Easter Sunday, Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt called the policy “appalling and insulting” to Christians, accusing Biden, a devout Catholic, of leading a “years-long assault on the Christian faith.”
Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) was also among the politicians who aired concerns.
“Christ is King,” Collins wrote on X, formerly Twitter, in response to a Fox News post about the policy, which falsely claimed that it was new for 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 been a supporter of the White House Easter Egg Roll for over 45 years and the guideline language referenced in recent news reports has consistently applied to the board since its founding, across administrations,” CEO Emily Metz said in a statement.
The White House also shut down the criticism, with the first lady’s communications director Elizabeth Alexander dubbing the controversy a “misleading swirl.”
“The American Egg Board flyer’s standard non-discrimination language requesting artwork has been used for the last 45 years, across all Dem & Republican Admins — for all WH Easter Egg Rolls — incl previous Administration’s,” Alexander wrote on X.
The Trump campaign and conservatives also dinged Biden for recognizing Trans Day of Visibility, with some accusing Biden of pushing aside religion. Trans Day of Visibility falls on March 31 every year, making this year’s confluence with Easter a coincidence.
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates responded to that criticism from former President Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and others Saturday.
“As a Christian who celebrates Easter with Family, President Biden stands for bringing people together and upholding the dignity and freedoms of every American,” Bates said in a statement.
“Sadly, it’s unsurprising politicians are seeking to divide and weaken our country with cruel, hateful, and dishonest rhetoric. President Biden will never abuse his faith for political purposes or for profit.”