Prepared remarks from the president (and First Lady) that were released Sunday by the White House as Easter got going were dramatically different in tone from how expected general election challenger Donald Trump started his morning over on Truth Social.
“Easter reminds us of the power of hope and the promise of Christ’s Resurrection,” President Joe Biden said, tracing the sentiments also to First Lady Jill Biden. “As we gather with loved ones, we remember Jesus’ sacrifice. We pray for one another and cherish the blessing of the dawn of new possibilities. And with wars and conflict taking a toll on innocent lives around the world, we renew our commitment to work for peace, security, and dignity for all people.”
In contrast, Trump — though he eventually referenced the holiday — kicked off the morning with a complaint about supposed “cowards” inside the Republican Party, responding to the resignation plans of a Wisconsin Republican serving in Congress.
There are very specific associations to the current president’s message about seeking peace around the world. The Biden team and some legislative leaders have been clamoring for the passage in the House of a foreign aid package already approved with bipartisan support by the Senate that includes new help for Ukraine amid the Eastern European country facing a Russian invasion. Some on the far-right/in the GOP’s MAGA wing oppose the prospect of U.S. assistance, and Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) has resisted even serious consideration of the Senate’s aid deal, which also supports Israel and Taiwan.
Johnson complained at a press conference about Democratic opposition to a House Republican push to support Israel, though he completely glossed over that Democrats (and some Republicans!) got behind that separate proposal backing Israel, subsequently resisting the possibility of using aid for Israel to evade needs seen in Ukraine and elsewhere. (The GOP push isolated the proposed security assistance for Israel.)
