USDA secretary’s ‘He is Risen’ Easter email unnerves some staff members

Washington Post
by Mariana Alfaro, Michelle Boorstein, Meryl Kornfield
April 9, 2026
6 views
2 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

A USDA secretary's Easter email using "He is Risen" unnerved some staff, raising separation of church and state concerns.

How This Affects You

Federal employees may experience discomfort or feel pressured if government leaders use religious phrasing in official communications, potentially impacting workplace inclusivity.

AI Summary

The USDA secretary sent an Easter email to staff members containing the phrase "He is Risen," which unnerved some recipients. This message is part of a pattern of what some perceive as Christian proselytizing by current administration leaders. The expression of religious sentiment by a cabinet secretary has caused discomfort among federal employees. This incident raises concerns about the separation of church and state within a government agency.

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

RFK Jr. moves to broaden CDC vaccine panel eligibility after federal judge found new members unqualified
Health

RFK Jr. moves to broaden CDC vaccine panel eligibility after federal judge found new members unqualified

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s amended charter for a vaccine advisory committee was published Monday and is set to go into effect soon, but there are currently no members after a federal judge effectively nullified those handpicked by the secretary. On April 6, Kennedy’s amended charter for the Advisory Committee on…

The HillApr 7
Second ex-staffer accuses Texas lawmaker of sending sexually explicit messages
Politics

Second ex-staffer accuses Texas lawmaker of sending sexually explicit messages

<p>Republican Tony Gonzales ended re-election bid in March after admitting to having affair with a different aide</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&amp;utm_campaign=BN22326&amp;utm_content=signup&amp;utm_term=standfirst&amp;utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</a></p></li></ul><p>A second former female staffer for Tony Gonzales, a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/republicans">Republican</a> congressman from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/texas">Texas</a>, has come forward claiming Gonzales sent her sexually explicit messages.</p><p>The San Antonio Express-News <a href="https://www.expressnews.com/politics/article/tony-gonzales-sexual-texts-campaign-staffer-22085908.php">first reported</a> the text messages on Monday and <a href="https://www....

The Guardian US NewsApr 6
US DHS calls furloughed staff back to work despite shutdown - Reuters
Government Transparency

US DHS calls furloughed staff back to work despite shutdown - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirgFBVV95cUxQUlBITktnX1F4TWE5TDg1SENVQ1BYb18yVDd4S0JRb0ZNR2dvRjVWeGZkRnp1U0YxRTJBZzdDTmxzV0YxVTBXWFhIaW5BZzR0SzJoZC12WnNmUDNFVElMSkZIVzlpMUxqZlhmeE9mODF4S21WUjRvV1F4UlVENUc1OTJGMWpMOUxJZDJxQS1rTmJEWU5oblFjdVpreHNiTXNtdDBJeFY0SmNQZHRKdWc?oc=5" target="_blank">US DHS calls furloughed staff back to work despite shutdown</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersApr 11
With Minneapolis medical center’s survival threatened, staff and leaders call for state action - AP News
Health

With Minneapolis medical center’s survival threatened, staff and leaders call for state action - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisgFBVV95cUxNVkVMaDNpZUV5dDRKeGI2UG9sTWxzMWhmbjVGWWlNWWVFb29JQWpoT0ZrNTVPUU56MFVLRnJVczg4Um1Gck8yQlBEd18zRW14ZnZneXJ0am9EdWdrMkZ4YVhkdE1UaGwyUk9Ub2lfQUp3ZjJwRG9NWGM5dHlFN25IblRRcjlWWEpBUHNmYjZxWEhXSmZCaUNKbi1CaUY1eU5odXlqbHcyZGFVZnBDMDFoekJn?oc=5" target="_blank">With Minneapolis medical center’s survival threatened, staff and leaders call for state action</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 7
Medicaid work rules will stress states' staffing capacity
Health

Medicaid work rules will stress states' staffing capacity

Some states already don't have enough staff to quickly process Medicaid applications and answer enrollees' phone calls. Researchers say they may not be prepared to handle new Medicaid work rules, predicting people will lose coverage as a result.

CBS NewsApr 9
Photos of Trump's Monday, talking Iran at Easter Egg Roll and mimicking a sniper in the press room - AP News
Politics

Photos of Trump's Monday, talking Iran at Easter Egg Roll and mimicking a sniper in the press room - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipAFBVV95cUxPUGc5WDlvTWR6M2xmbUUteGFKLTJWV0l2S2hMOExncXhJTFN3bktnVkJfZ19Qb3BqaHUtRkt0bjdsLTIyRzJVY1ZqT2g3LThVNzk0eDlMU0FWSkYzTF9ybjdaZ1FmRnBsSnlrSUZzckk0VERrckFhUk5GVGppTkhjNS1ueEpLUW1hQlkyTHpxcHJnOFhhMExoaXFlaGJSNlhHLWJqbg?oc=5" target="_blank">Photos of Trump's Monday, talking Iran at Easter Egg Roll and mimicking a sniper in the press room</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 6
Read Next
A Judge Worried a Proposed Settlement Doesn’t Do Enough to Help Victims. The DOJ Is Still Moving Forward.
Government Transparency

A Judge Worried a Proposed Settlement Doesn’t Do Enough to Help Victims. The DOJ Is Still Moving Forward.

The post A Judge Worried a Proposed Settlement Doesn’t Do Enough to Help Victims. The DOJ Is Still Moving Forward. appeared first on ProPublica .

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources