White House Bans Religious Designs in Easter Egg Competition

The White House discouraged children of National Guard members to submit religious Easter egg designs in this year's "Celebrating National Guard Families" in the US capital.

The art contest was part of the White House's Easter traditions, which would include the annual Easter Egg Roll.

The flier for the contest, obtained by Fox News Digital, stated that the design submission "must not include any questionable content, religious symbols, overtly religious themes, or partisan political statements."

Children were asked to design eggs with images based on "the unique experience and stories of National Guard children," but were prohibited from promoting material promoting "bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, or age" in their designs.

"As part of the White House Easter traditions, America's Egg Farmers - for nearly 50 years - have proudly presented an intricately decorated Commemorative Easter Egg to the First Lady of the United States," the flier explained. "In 2021, the White House expanded on this longstanding tradition by displaying youth-designed Easter eggs in the White House East Colonnade,"

"On behalf of First Lady Jill Biden, The Adjutants General of the National Guard are asking youth from National Guard families across the United States and all U.S. territories to submit artwork inspired by the theme 'Celebrating our Military Families," the flier continued.

Selected designs would be painted by artists on real eggs and displayed at the White House.

In addition to the egg roll and Easter egg hunt, the event would also include a Physical "EGGucation" (PE) Zone, a School House Activity Area, a Reading Nook, a Field Trip to the Farm, a Picture Day, and a snack tent. Children's entertainment, including "educational acts and performances," would be shown on a "School House stage" on the South Lawn.