Image: The Washington Post

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins Sparks Backlash With Pro-Christian Easter Email

09 April, 2026.USA.5 sources

Key Takeaways

Easter message from USDA secretary to all employees sparked backlash and a formal complaint.
Email included explicit Christian messaging, including 'He is Risen indeed'.
Generated backlash and internal complaints across the USDA's 4,500 offices nationwide.

USDA Easter Email Sparks Backlash

Secretary Rollins sent a department-wide Easter email proclaiming Christ is Risen.

“You Browser Working London Working www”

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The email included language about sin being destroyed and God granting victory and new life.

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A formal complaint was filed with the Office of Special Counsel by a USDA employee and union president.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation received complaints from nearly 30 USDA employees.

A USDA spokesperson defended the email as within the Secretary's rights.

Christian Staff Also Offended

The email alienated some self-identified Christians within the USDA.

A staffer said the email was offensive as a devout Christian.

CNN

Reddit commenters called the email blasphemous and disgraceful.

The controversy unfolded amid a broader religious revival within the Trump administration.

Rollins' Religious Convictions

Rollins has openly embraced her Christian faith as a guiding force.

“A “Christ is Risen” Easter message sent by the secretary of agriculture has sparked backlash inside the department, angering some of its nearly 100,000 employees and prompting a formal complaint against the secretary for the religious message”