White House plans ‘extraordinary’ Holy Week with ‘observance it deserves’

The White House is preparing for an extraordinary celebration for Holy Week leading up to Easter, with President Donald Trump taking part in various events to honor and commemorate the holiday with the respect it deserves. The newly established White House Faith Office has organized the Holy Week agenda.

Jennifer Korn, the faith director of the White House Faith Office, conveyed that President Trump is set to mark and celebrate Holy Week and Easter with the reverence it deserves. Throughout the week, there will be a distribution of a Holy Week proclamation, a special video message from the president, a pre-Easter dinner, and a White House staff Easter service.

The week will be a special time of prayer and worship at the White House, to be shared with Americans celebrating the days leading up to Resurrection Sunday. On Palm Sunday, the president is expected to release a presidential Easter proclamation addressing Christians as Holy Week commences, emphasizing his commitment to defending the Christian faith in various facets of society.

A Holy Week video is anticipated to be released by the president on Monday, followed by an Easter dinner on Wednesday evening. The dinner will include hymns by the Marine Corps Band, Christian opera by singer Charles Billingsley, prayers, and remarks from President Trump. The event will be attended by Christian pastors, priests, and faith leaders, along with key White House officials and Pastor Paula White, the senior advisor to the White House Faith Office.

On Holy Thursday, a staff worship service will be held at the White House, with Pastor Franklin Graham, Pastor Greg Laurie, and Pastor Jentezen Franklin leading prayers, scripture readings, service, and communion. An ensemble from Liberty University will provide worship music during the service.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted the significant contrast between the current administration’s approach to Easter celebrations and that of the previous administration. Last year, the Biden White House designated Easter Sunday as Transgender Day of Visibility, a move that was heavily criticized by the Trump administration.

President Trump’s commitment to celebrating Holy Week and Easter in a manner that respects and honors the Christian faith is evident through the planned events. This weeklong celebration organized by the White House Faith Office underscores the administration’s dedication to upholding the values and traditions of the Christian community.