https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/04/presidential-message-on-holy-week-2025

Many of us have heard that President Trump is holding several Easter observances, and we may have heard from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt about the administration’s “extraordinary week-long celebration for Holy Week ahead of Easter Sunday.” We may have seen the picture of him praying with his cabinet leaders while it was reported that he also entertained clerics from several Christian denominations in celebration of Holy Week. Trump has said that he believes that God spared his life from attempted assassination because he has work to do as part of God’s plan for America. It has been said that his public expression of faith has permitted others to feel that they can now openly express their own beliefs without recriminations.

Ms. Leavitt termed the celebration of Holy Week as “extraordinary” because the previous Biden administration celebrated a “Transgender Day of Visibility” on Easter Sunday instead of the passion of Jesus, his crucifixion and resurrection. That left the American public without the positive message of hope and love of humanity that could have been delivered. Likewise, the Biden administration opposed religious expression in many notorious cases, especially when Christian groups demanded respect for the life and dignity of every person from conception.

This is against the background in which United States adults have reported in polls from 1940–1975 that 71-76% regularly attended a church, synagogue, or mosque. But, from 1975–2000, that fell to 68-71%, and the number fell steadily from 2000–2018 to 50% (with the pandemic beginning in early 2019) By 2024, after the pandemic, young adults said only 21% of people with all faith traditions attend religious services almost every week.

In 2025, 62% of the US population identify as Christians and 65 percent of U.S. adults, including Christians and non-Christians, believe the church is still relevant in today’s world. Still, only about 20% go to church regularly.

However, there has recently been a significant rise in Christians attending church, especially among young men (there is some interesting speculation about causes that I will leave to the reader). Attention has been called to the difference in leadership in the new Trump administration, beginning with the president and vice president. It is no longer politically incorrect to express a religious belief. Religious discrimination and oppression are also being vigorously opposed.

That is why the text of the White House message is important, so I have copied it here:

“This Holy Week, Melania and I join in prayer with Christians celebrating the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—the living Son of God who conquered death, freed us from sin, and unlocked the gates of Heaven for all of humanity.

Beginning with Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and culminating in the Paschal Triduum, which begins on Holy Thursday with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, followed by Good Friday, and reaching its pinnacle in the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night. This week is a time of reflection for Christians to memorialize Jesus’ crucifixion—and to prepare their hearts, minds, and souls for His miraculous Resurrection from the dead.

During this sacred week, we acknowledge that the glory of Easter Sunday cannot come without the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross.  In His final hours on Earth, Christ willingly endured excruciating pain, torture, and execution on the cross out of a deep and abiding love for all His creation.  Through His suffering, we have redemption.  Through His death, we are forgiven of our sins.  Through His Resurrection, we have hope of eternal life.  On Easter morning, the stone is rolled away, the tomb is empty, and light prevails over darkness—signaling that death does not have the final word.

This Holy Week, my Administration renews its promise to defend the Christian faith in our schools, military, workplaces, hospitals, and halls of government.  We will never waver in safeguarding the right to religious liberty, upholding the dignity of life, and protecting God in our public square.

As we focus on Christ’s redeeming sacrifice, we look to His love, humility, and obedience—even in life’s most difficult and uncertain moments.  This week, we pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our beloved Nation.  We pray that America will remain a beacon of faith, hope, and freedom for the entire world, and we pray to achieve a future that reflects the truth, beauty, and goodness of Christ’s eternal kingdom in Heaven.

May God bless you and your family during this special time of year and may He continue to bless the United States of America.”

Let us join in affirming this statement with hope for all of humankind.