Trump administration emphasizes Christian faith in official Christmas messages

WASHINGTON, DC: This holiday season, the Donald Trump administration placed religious themes at the forefront of its Christmas messages, emphasizing Christian traditions.

The White House and senior officials, including Cabinet members, repeatedly referenced Jesus Christ and the Christian faith as central to the holiday in statements and social media posts.

Holiday greetings highlighted traditional seasonal themes such as peace, goodwill, and national unity, while some posts contained explicitly religious content, referencing the Nativity and describing Jesus as the foundation of Christmas.

Trump officials highlight Christian meaning of Christmas in holiday messages

“Today we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote. “May His light bring peace, hope, and joy to you and your families.”

Similarly, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Homeland Security Department, and the Labor Department shared comparable messages wishing Americans a blessed Christmas.

“The joyous message of Christmas is the hope of eternal life through Christ,” Mr. Rubio said.

“Let Earth Receive Her King,” the Labor Department posted.

Typically, government officials avoid using overtly religious language. The Constitution prohibits an official state religion, and the First Amendment ensures both church-state separation and the free exercise of religion.

One of the most extensive messages came from the Homeland Security Department on Christmas Eve. It read, “We are blessed to share a nation and a Savior,” accompanied by a video featuring the American flag, Christmas trees, Santa Claus, President Donald Trump, and a Nativity scene, with the words, “Remember the miracle of Christ’s birth.”

Critics call Trump Christmas messages divisive and against First Amendment

President Donald Trump’s critics warned that government promotion of specific religious perspectives could challenge First Amendment principles.

Rachel Laser, president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, condemned the message as “divisive and un-American” in a statement to The New York Times.

“Our Constitution’s promise of church-state separation has allowed religious diversity, including different denominations of Christianity, to flourish in America,” she said. “Americans should not have to sift through proselytizing messages to access government information.”

The Homeland Security post also drew backlash. Alex Nowrasteh, senior vice president for policy at the Cato Institute, said, “Americans don’t share a religion. Our state is secular.”

Laura Kennedy, a former ambassador under the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations, said, “I am a Christian. I am also a proud American because our laws were designed to prohibit a national religion.”

Earlier in 2025, Trump created a Justice Department task force to “fully prosecute anti-Christian violence and vandalism in our society” and established the Religious Liberty Commission in May.