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In a tradition dating back to 1800, Washington’s holiday season continues to be marked by festive celebrations that bring together government officials at the White House and beyond. This year’s events showcase both official duties and personal family traditions of the Trump administration’s Cabinet members.
The White House Congressional Ball in December was attended by notable officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. First Lady Melania Trump hosted the annual event, which draws both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. During the event, President Donald Trump acknowledged the presence of Cabinet members but refrained from identifying certain officials, noting they might not receive “huge applause from this very substantially Democrat audience.”
At the Pentagon, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth initiated the first-ever Christmas worship service, featuring American evangelist Franklin Graham and musicians Anne Wilson and Matthew West. The Pentagon also hosted a Christmas Tea Party for Gold Star families—relatives of service members who died during active-duty military service—organized by Hegseth’s wife, Jen.
Beyond official Washington events, Cabinet members and their families maintain their own unique holiday traditions, recently highlighted in a White House video released on December 13.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s wife, Jeanette, shared that their family of six attends midnight Mass together, emphasizing the importance of celebrating “what the purpose of Christmas is.” The Rubios have maintained this tradition as a cornerstone of their family holiday celebration.
For Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and his wife Allison, Hanukkah celebrations hold special significance. “My favorite holiday tradition is lighting Hanukkah candles with my children,” Allison Lutnick noted in the White House video, adding that while their children are approaching 30 years old, some traditions have evolved over time.
Cultural heritage plays an important role for Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and his wife Kathryn, who maintain Norwegian traditions by making lefse, a traditional Norwegian flatbread, during the holidays. This culinary tradition connects the family to their heritage during the festive season.
The extended Kennedy family brings their characteristic energy to the holidays, according to Cheryl Hines, wife of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “We like to have a talent show,” Hines explained, describing how family members participate regardless of talent level. “Not everybody is as talented as they wish they were, but that doesn’t stop us from singing at the top of our lungs or doing some crazy dance.”
For Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins and his wife Lisa, their 37-year tradition of collecting Christmas ornaments represents their journey together. “We have a special tree for those places, and they’re all dated as a remembrance of where we’ve been, and how far we’ve come,” Lisa Collins shared.
The tradition of White House holiday celebrations dates back to 1800, when President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams hosted government officials and their families for a Christmas celebration on behalf of their granddaughter, Susanna Boylston Adams. Over two centuries later, these gatherings continue to serve as important social and political events in Washington.
This year’s White House decorations follow the theme “Home is Where the Heart Is,” with the First Lady overseeing the transformation of the executive mansion into a holiday showcase. The official White House Christmas portrait features the President and First Lady in formal black attire, continuing the tradition of annual presidential holiday photographs.
As Washington’s political elite navigate the holiday season’s social calendar, these celebrations offer rare moments of bipartisanship and personal connection during an otherwise politically charged time in the nation’s capital.
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9 Comments
It’s good to see that holiday traditions at the highest levels of government continue, even as the players change. This helps maintain a sense of continuity and stability.
I’m curious to learn more about the specific family traditions Cabinet members celebrate. It’s a reminder that even high-ranking officials have personal sides to their lives beyond their official duties.
The Trump administration appears to be keeping up some holiday traditions while also putting their own stamp on the celebrations. It will be interesting to see how future administrations approach this time of year.
Kudos to the Cabinet members who are finding ways to honor the military and Gold Star families during the holidays. That personal touch amidst the official events is meaningful.
Interesting to see the range of holiday celebrations among Cabinet members. Sounds like a mix of official duties and personal traditions. I wonder how the political dynamics play out at these events.
The mix of official duties and personal celebrations is a nice reflection of how the holiday season blends the professional and the personal for those in power. A human touch amidst the pomp and circumstance.
The White House Congressional Ball seems like a chance for bipartisan fellowship, despite Trump’s acknowledgement of the partisan divide. It’s important for officials to come together, even across party lines, during the holiday season.
The political dynamics at play are intriguing. I wonder if the Democrats in attendance at the White House event appreciated Trump’s acknowledgment, or if it came across as a backhanded compliment.
The Pentagon’s Christmas service and Gold Star families event are nice gestures to honor those who serve. It’s good to see the government recognizing their sacrifices during the holidays.