Joe and Jill hold grandson Beau’s hand as they step off Marine One: Bidens return from spending Easter at Camp David with Hunter and his wife Melissa after sparking fury by proclaiming Sunday as ‘Trans Day of Visibility’
President Joe Biden was the picture of a loving grandfather as he stepped off Marine One and held grandson Beau Biden’s hand after spending Easter weekend together at Camp David.
Biden and First Lady Jill Biden each held one of their grandson’s hands as they exited the helicopter at For McNair in Washington, DC, on Sunday.
The president wore tan pants and a blue jacket, and Jill wore a long white dress and held a bouquet of yellow daffodils in one head and Beau’s in the other.
Walking hand in hand with his grandparents, the group was all smiles as Beau carried a small Easter egg, followed by his parents Hunter Biden and Melissa Cohen.
Hunter wore casual jeans, a blue shirt and a baseball cap and his wife smiled behind large sunglasses in her all-black outfit.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill held the hands of their grandson Beau Biden as they left Marine One on Sunday
Baby Beau Biden held a small Easter egg in his hands as he exited the helicopter and was escorted by his grandparents
Jill wore a long white dress and held a bouquet of yellow daffodils in one head and baby Beau’s in the other.
The group was all smiles as Beau carried a small Easter egg, followed by his parents Hunter Biden and Melissa Cohen
The Bidens returned to Washington, DC after spending the weekend at Camp David
The president spent the holiday weekend with family at Maryland’s Catoctin Mountains retreat as his administration came under fire for several controversial Easter celebration choices.
On Sunday, White House spokesman Andrew Bates doubled down on Easter’s celebration of Transgender Day of Visibility after sparking a firestorm of criticism from conservative lawmakers.
“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.
“Unfortunately, it is not surprising that politicians seek to divide and weaken our country with cruel, hateful and dishonest rhetoric. President Biden will never abuse his faith for political purposes or profiteering.”
Since 2009, March 31 has been declared an international tribute to the transgender movement. However, this year it coincides with the celebration of Easter.
Bates’ comments followed a statement released by President Joe Biden on Saturday.
“On Transgender Day of Visibility, we honor the extraordinary courage and contributions of transgender Americans and reaffirm our nation’s commitment to building a more perfect Union – where all people are created equal and treated equally throughout their lives,” it said.
“Today we send a message to all transgender Americans: you are loved. You are heard. You are understood. You belong. You are America, and my entire government and I stand with you.”
The White House came under fire for several controversial Easter celebration choices, including honoring Transgender Day of Visibility on Easter
Biden also faced backlash for the decision to ban religious imagery in entries from children of military families participating in the traditional Easter Egg Roll event.
Biden was the first US president in 2021 to issue a formal proclamation recognizing the event.
Because the celebration fell on Easter in its 15th year, Biden’s comments drew criticism from conservatives, including former President Donald Trump.
Trump’s national press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, labeled the proclamation “appalling and insulting.”
She claimed the president’s announcement was evidence of the Biden administration’s “years-long assault on the Christian faith.”
In addition to people from the political sphere, some figures from pop culture also spoke.
Reality star Caitlyn Jenner wrote: “I am absolutely disgusted that Joe Biden has declared the holiest of holy days – a self-proclaimed devout Catholic – as Transgender Day of Visibility. The only thing you should say on this day is ‘HE is risen’.”
Jenner came out as transgender in 2015 and underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2017.
The White House also faced criticism for its decision to ban religious imagery in entries from children of military families participating in the traditional Easter Egg Roll event, as critics labeled the measures an “attack on Christianity.”
Conservative policy researcher Jeremy Carl tweeted that it shows the president and Democrats “hate America’s heritage… and they show it again and again.”
“The war on Christianity continues,” said another critic, as others noted, “We need to remind the White House that Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
Protesters from Extinction Rebellion NYC’s Palestinian Solidarity ambushed an Easter Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Saturday evening
The First Lady’s communications director, Elizabeth Alexander, defended the decision on Twitter.
“The standard nondiscrimination language of the Egg Board flyer requesting artwork has been used by all Democrats and Republican trustees for the past 45 years – for all WH Easter Egg Rolls – including those of the previous administration,” Alexander said.
Amid the various Easter controversies at the White House, Extinction Rebellion NYC Palestinian Solidarity protesters ambushed a Saturday evening Easter Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
The customary Easter vigil led by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, descended into chaos when the group entered the church.
At the front of the worshipers, the brutal activists unfurled a flag with an olive tree and the words ‘SILENCE = DEATH.’
As they were led away, heads began to turn as a chant rang out: “Free, free Palestine!”