The Trump administration is set to mark Holy Week with a series of events honoring the Christian holiday, a move officials say contrasts with past observances.

The White House Faith Office is organizing what it calls “extraordinary” celebrations, including a presidential video message, a pre-Easter dinner with Christian leaders, and a staff Easter service featuring Rev. Franklin Graham, according to Jennifer Korn, faith director. “President Trump will honor and celebrate Holy Week and Easter with the observance it deserves,” Korn said.

A Holy Week proclamation will also be issued, emphasizing prayer and worship leading to Resurrection Sunday, Korn added. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the plans as “an extraordinary weeklong celebration,” highlighting a departure from the Biden administration’s 2024 recognition of Transgender Day of Visibility on Easter Sunday.

President Donald Trump initiated the festivities with a Truth Social post Sunday, stating, “Through the pain and sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, we saw God’s boundless Love and Devotion to all Humanity.” He emphasized the Resurrection’s promise of “Everlasting Life.”

The events, including a dinner with Christian opera singer Charles Billingsley, aim to engage faith communities and White House staff. The administration’s focus underscores Trump’s pledge to prioritize Christian values, officials said.

Judge cut’s Austin Metcalf’s killers bail by MORE THAN HALF

A 17-year-old accused of fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf, also 17, at a high school track meet was freed on bond Monday after a judge reduced it from $1 million to $250,000, authorities said.

Karmelo Anthony, charged with first-degree murder, allegedly stabbed Metcalf in the chest during an altercation April 2 at Frisco’s Kuykendall Stadium. Metcalf died in his twin brother’s arms. Anthony’s release, under house arrest with an ankle monitor, has sparked debate over bond decisions.

“Every Texan has the right to defend themselves when they reasonably fear for their life,” Anthony’s attorney, Michael Howard, said. “Self-defense is a protection that applies to each and every one of us. There are two sides to every story.”

The Anthony family crowdfunded nearly $415,000 via GiveSendGo to cover legal costs. Meanwhile, Metcalf’s father, Jeff, urged against politicizing the tragedy. “My son is gone, and he’ll never come home again,” he said. “This person made a bad choice and affected both his family and my family forever.”

A witness reported Anthony warned Metcalf, “Touch me and see what happens,” before pulling a knife from his bag, according to police. Anthony told officers he acted in self-defense.

“This is a tragedy all the way around for both families,” Howard added. Anthony awaits trial at home, barred from leaving without court permission.

Harvard REFUSES to comply with Trump’s DEI ruling despite anti-semitic protests

Harvard University announced Monday it will not comply with a series of demands from the Trump administration, which include governance reforms and changes to hiring and admissions policies, potentially creating a standoff with the administration and threatening billions in federal funding.

The demands, outlined in a letter from federal officials Josh Gruenbaum, Sean Keveney, and Thomas Wheeler, called for Harvard to implement “meaningful governance reform” and adopt merit-based hiring by August 2025. The administration also urged the university to reform international student admissions to exclude those “hostile to American values,” specifically citing concerns about antisemitism and terrorism support.

Harvard President Alan Garber criticized the demands as overreaching, stating they represent “direct governmental regulation of the ‘intellectual conditions’ at Harvard,” according to NBC News. The university’s legal response argued the demands violate First Amendment rights and “invade university freedoms long recognized by the Supreme Court.”

Harvard’s defiance could jeopardize significant federal grants critical for research. The university emphasized its commitment to academic independence, with its lawyers asserting, “No less objectionable is the condition ... that Harvard accede to these terms or risk the loss of billions of dollars in federal funding.”

The administration has not yet responded to Harvard’s refusal, but the move signals escalating tensions between the Ivy League institution and federal authorities.

Nigel Farage want’s to create a UK DOGE Department to cut WILD spending

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) teams to tackle waste in England’s local councils, citing excessive spending and remote work culture.

Speaking to the BBC on Sunday, Farage proposed deploying DOGE teams, inspired by the Elon Musk-led U.S. initiative, to every county council. “I’ve looked at the numbers, we did thousands of FOI requests to have a look where money was being spent,” he said, highlighting £500,000 spent by Lancashire County Council on ergonomic chairs. He also criticized councils for staff earning more than the prime minister while rarely attending offices, stating, “The whole work from home culture, all that needs to go.”

Farage’s comments come ahead of May 1 local elections, where Reform UK is fielding 1,631 candidates for 1,641 seats, aiming to capitalize on recent gains, including a landslide council by-election win in Tameside, Greater Manchester. He advocated for “common-sense solutions” like exiting costly long-term contracts to fix issues such as potholes more cheaply.

The push reflects Farage’s broader goal to “professionalize” Reform UK, with party chairman Zia Yusuf emphasizing efficiency to save taxpayer money. Critics argue such cuts could strain council services already stretched thin.

Farage’s call for DOGE teams underscores his party’s growing influence as it challenges Labour and Conservative dominance in local governance.