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Several federal agencies joined President Trump on Good Friday in celebrating the Christian holy day on social media, the latest manifestation of Mr. Trump\u2019s promise to \u201cbring back Christianity\u201d and of the administration\u2019s efforts to infuse its work with faith.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn this Good Friday, the United States joins Christians around the world in reflecting on Christ\u2019s sacrifice, the power of redemption, and the hope of the Resurrection,\u201d the State Department wrote on its official government account.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Mr. Trump\u2019s own message, delivered in a social media post on Friday, was similar in some ways to the tone of his predecessors. \u201cOn Good Friday, the Son of God was nailed to the cross, crucified, and He died for all of us,\u201d the president said. \u201cIt was a day of darkness, but it wasn\u2019t the end.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n President Joseph R. Biden Jr. said on Good Friday in 2022 that \u201cwe remember Jesus\u2019s sacrifice on the cross, pray for all who suffer, and seek to love others as God has loved us.\u201d And President Barack Obama said on Easter in 2016 that he joined \u201cwith Christians around the world in proclaiming, \u2018Christ has risen; He has risen indeed.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n But the Trump administration has gone further in adopting Christianity in its messaging, and has cited it as justification for its actions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently called on Americans to pray<\/a> \u201cevery day, on bended knee,\u201d for U.S. troops \u201cin the name of Jesus Christ,\u201d as the American military prosecutes the war in Iran.<\/p>\n The administration has also sought to strengthen protections for religious activity in politics and government, and has taken steps in favor of Christian groups that have sought to end I.R.S. restrictions on political endorsements by churches<\/a>.<\/p>\n The White House also marked Holy Week, which stretches from Palm Sunday to Easter, with days of prayer and worship, including an Easter lunch held on Wednesday<\/a>. It featured prayers from the evangelist Franklin Graham; Bishop Robert Barron, a member of the Trump administration\u2019s Religious Liberty Commission; and the president\u2019s longtime personal pastor, Paula White-Cain, who was named last year to help lead a new White House faith office.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n