Watch: Military Academy Erupts After Trump Official Calls for Jesus Painting's Return

For many older Americans, what once felt like a slow, inevitable retreat from Christianity is now starting to look like a modern-day resurgence.

In a clip shared Tuesday on X, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sparked an overwhelming response from midshipmen at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy when he demanded the restoration of a painting of Jesus Christ — a piece that had been pushed into a basement by officials under President Joe Biden’s administration.

"Let’s bring Him up!" Duffy declared, as cheers and applause from the audience nearly drowned him out.

You can watch the full clip here:

Early in his remarks, Duffy promised to ensure that the academy received the "respect and the money that this academy deserves," which brought a wave of applause. But that reaction was nothing compared to the eruption that followed when he touched on the topic of the hidden painting.

"Could we bring Jesus up from the basement?" Duffy asked as he wrapped up his speech, turning to someone in the audience for confirmation.

The midshipmen’s cheers grew even louder.

"Let’s not put Jesus in the basement!" Duffy continued, almost shouting over the noise. "Let’s bring Him up!"

The ovation lasted about 30 seconds, prompting Duffy to note, "That was the loudest applause we got!"

The painting in question, titled “Christ on the Water” (1947), had been moved to a flood-prone basement after pressure from Mikey Weinstein, the head of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. As The Christian Post reported, Weinstein had sent a letter in 2023 demanding the academy "expeditiously remove a massive, sectarian painting illustrating the supremacy of Jesus Christ."

Weinstein has a long history of challenging Christian imagery across various military institutions.

Several midshipmen, speaking anonymously, praised Duffy for openly addressing the painting’s removal.

One midshipman reflected, "I remember many times when I used to pray underneath that painting when I was on the verge of failing a class, or I had big tests or I was worried about something." The painting, previously displayed in Wiley Hall, held deep personal and historical significance for many cadets.

Another midshipman echoed similar sentiments, saying the painting reminded people, "[P]eople would look up to that painting and say, 'Everything’s going to be all right. Jesus is looking after me, just like He’s looking after these sailors who are washed up on a boat somewhere in the middle of the ocean.'"

"I think everyone was on their feet for the Jesus painting and clapping," he added. "I thought, 'Finally, the fight is somewhat close to over.'"

You can see another clip of the moment here:

That word — "finally" — no doubt resonated with many who have watched the cultural tide shift over the years.

After all, when President Donald Trump reclaimed the White House, many saw it as a blow to the so-called "woke" elite’s campaign against Christianity. That ongoing battle has, for many, brought a renewed focus on faith and has led to prominent public figures turning toward Jesus.

For those with "eyes to see and ears to hear," signs of a growing Christian revival have been unmistakable.

Thanks to Duffy’s bold stance, the midshipmen were given a moment to openly celebrate their faith — another powerful reminder that God's work in America is far from finished.