WH Comments On Christmas Post
The cultural tug-of-war over Christmas messaging erupted again this year, sparked by a Washington Post article that criticized the Trump administration for what it labeled “explicitly sectarian” holiday greetings.
The article, which quickly went viral, pointed to several Trump-era officials who used Christmas as a moment to publicly affirm their Christian faith — referring to the holiday as the celebration of “our Savior Jesus Christ.” The White House wasted no time in firing back, making it clear: Christmas is, and always has been, a Christian holiday.
According to the Washington Post, agencies like the Department of Homeland Security and figures such as Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Justice Department Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon were among those who delivered Christmas messages rooted firmly in the Gospel.
That, apparently, was enough to cause discomfort in the editorial offices at the Post, which lamented the departure from the “Santa Claus-and-reindeer” tone preferred by previous administrations.
But White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson, speaking to Fox News Digital, pulled no punches. “While the Washington Post would prefer we stick to ‘Happy Holidays,’ we’re saying Merry Christmas again,” she said. “And Christmas is a Christian holiday for millions of Christians celebrating the birth of their Savior, whether the Washington Post likes it or not.”
That sentiment reverberated throughout conservative circles and among Trump administration alumni. Sebastian Gorka, former counterterrorism advisor, lambasted the article’s premise, calling it an affront to both Christian tradition and Western civilization. “Christmas is about the birth of our Savior, the Son of God,” he wrote. “Our Republic was founded by men of God, based on Western Christian values.”
The pushback wasn’t limited to officials. Conservative commentators, media figures, and even sitting lawmakers joined the fray, calling out what they viewed as a growing hostility toward faith in the public square.
From The Federalist’s Sean Davis, who mocked the Post for overlooking the obvious — that “Christ” is in the very name of the holiday — to RedState’s Bonchie, who highlighted the hypocrisy of secular media celebrating “dozens of days” for fringe causes while scoffing at Jesus, the message was consistent: the religious foundation of Christmas isn’t up for debate.
The Post’s framing of religious Christmas greetings as “sectarian” has touched a nerve — not just with political leaders, but with millions of Americans who see this time of year as sacred. And while secularism continues to gain cultural momentum, the reaction this week suggests that many still see December 25th as more than just a date for lights and gift wrap.