Trump Admin Stands Firm After Jesus-Centric Christmas Messages Spark Media Freak-Out

The Trump administration refused to retreat after The Washington Post scolded the executive branch for what it described as “hailing Christmas in explicitly sectarian terms,” framing the criticism as yet another attempt by legacy media to police expressions of faith in public life.

The newspaper went further, portraying the administration’s Christmas messages as an example of so-called “Christian nationalism,” after several officials and federal agency social media accounts openly celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ.

Among the posts drawing criticism was a one-minute video shared by the Department of Homeland Security, set to the hymn “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” featuring lyrics including “glory to the newborn king… with angelic hosts proclaim, ‘Christ is born in Bethlehem.'” The video concludes with the words displayed on screen: “Chris is born.”

In a separate post, DHS wrote, “Merry Christmas. We are blessed to share a nation and a Savior.”

Harmeet Dhillon, head of the Justice Department’s civil rights division—who is not a Christian—also marked the holiday with a message emphasizing America’s founding values. “As Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, we are reminded that this country was founded on principles of religious liberty …” Dhillon wrote.

“Every day we find opportunities to go to court to protect Christians from discrimination wherever we find it,” she added.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins likewise highlighted the spiritual meaning of Christmas in a post on X, writing, “This season brings out the very best of the American spirit with neighbors helping neighbors, communities lifting one another up, and hearts turning toward gratitude.

“That spirit began on the very first Christmas, when God gave us the greatest gift of all: His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ,” she continued.

Those messages proved intolerable for The Washington Post’s Azi Paybarah, who complained that, “The messages sharply diverged from the more secular, Santa Claus-and-reindeer style of Christmas messages that have been the norm for government agencies for years. The posts provided the latest example of the administration’s efforts to promote the cultural views and language of Trump’s evangelical Christian base.”

Paybarah also quoted Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, who claimed the posts are “one more example of the Christian Nationalist rhetoric the Trump administration has disseminated since Day One in office.”

“Our Constitution’s promise of church-state separation has allowed religious diversity — including different denominations of Christianity — to flourish in America,” Laser said. “People of all religions and none should not have to sift through proselytizing messages to access government information.”

She concluded, “It’s divisive and un-American.”

Fox News contacted the Trump White House for comment, and spokesperson Abigail Jackson made clear the administration has no intention of apologizing for acknowledging the religious roots of Christmas.

“While the Washington Post would prefer we stick to ‘Happy Holidays,’ we’re saying Merry Christmas again. And Christmas is a Christian holiday for millions of Christians celebrating the birth of their Savior, whether the Washington Post likes it or not,” Jackson said in a statement.

Sean Davis, CEO of The Federalist, dismissed the controversy altogether, calling out the absurdity of the media’s outrage.

“The ‘Christ’ in Christmas is a pretty strong signal that the entire foundation of the holiday is Christian. In fact, it might even be a sign that the whole reason for the season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the incarnation of God’s Son. You absolute clowns,” Davis wrote on X.

Contrary to Laser’s claims, nothing in the First Amendment prohibits government officials from expressing Christian beliefs. The Constitution states plainly: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

Posting Christmas messages does not compel belief, nor does it establish a state religion. It merely affirms the freedom to speak openly about faith—something American leaders have done since the nation’s founding.

Presidents throughout U.S. history have referenced religion in their official capacities. During World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt argued that the fight against Nazi Germany was a defense of “Christian civilization” and included a personal message in Bibles distributed to American soldiers, urging them to read Scripture for strength and guidance.

Trump administration officials are well within their constitutional rights—and firmly within American tradition—to acknowledge Christmas for what it is. They should continue to do so, regardless of complaints from the liberal media.