The White House is blaming "misinformation" for the outrage that ensued after it observed Transgender Day of Visibility, which fell on the same day as Easter this year.
International Transgender Day of Visibility has been observed on March 31 since 2009, and President Joe Biden has released a proclamation every year he has been in office for the day. This year is the first that it fell on Easter.
"We’ve been hearing out there, a lot of misinformation done on purpose," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Monday.
"Now, sadly– and it’s not surprising, right? It is actually unsurprising that politicians are seeking to divide and weaken our country with cruel, hateful, and dishonest rhetoric. It is dishonest what we have heard the past 24 hours. It is untrue what we heard over the weekend," she also said, according to the White House. "President Biden will never abuse his faith or — for political purposes or for profit."
The White House's proclamation for Transgender Day of Visibility this year was met with anger from conservative politicians and political figures, such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, House Speaker Mike Johnson and commentator Charlie Kirk.
Biden responded to criticism Johnson by calling the Louisiana Republican "thoroughly uninformed," according to the White House press pool.
"Uninformed how?" a reporter asked.
"I didn't do that," Biden said before walking away.
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