The city of Houston drew national backlash after an official social media post referred to Good Friday as a “Spring Holiday,” prompting accusations of disrespect toward one of Christianity’s holiest observances.

The post, which announced that city offices would be closed on Friday, was later deleted from the platform X following public criticism. However, screenshots had already circulated widely online, fueling further reaction.

Conservative commentator Todd Starnes was among those who condemned the wording, contrasting it with how the city has publicly recognized other religious holidays such as Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.

The controversy also drew attention to the office of John Whitmire, who was elected mayor in 2023. While the mayor’s office is officially nonpartisan, Whitmire is a longtime Democrat. His office did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the post.

Despite the deletion on X, reports indicated the “Spring Holiday” reference remained active on the city’s Instagram account, raising questions about internal communication or whether officials intended to partially walk back the language.

According to local reporting, previous city announcements had explicitly referred to Good Friday or Easter by name, making the change in terminology this year a focal point of criticism.

The incident highlights ongoing cultural tensions surrounding public recognition of religious holidays, particularly as local governments navigate how to address diverse communities while maintaining longstanding traditions.