In a passionate moment last week, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made headlines during his speech at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in Kings Point, New York.
He took a bold stance, calling for a beloved painting of Jesus to be moved from its current, flood-prone location in the building’s basement.
The painting, which has been stored there since the Biden administration, became the center of attention during Duffy’s April 3 speech.
Midshipmen Show Strong Support
As Duffy, a practicing Catholic, made his request to restore the painting, his words sparked a wave of applause from the midshipmen in the audience.
He enthusiastically asked, “Can we bring Jesus up from the basement? Let’s not put Jesus in the basement! Let’s get him out! Let’s bring him up!”
The response was so loud and prolonged that Duffy seemed taken aback, joking, “You want Jesus up from the basement? All right, great!” He later commented on the enthusiastic applause, saying, “That was the loudest applause we got.”
The History Behind the Painting
The artwork in question, “Christ on the Water,” was painted in 1944 by U.S. Maritime Service Lt. Hunter Wood.
It depicts the powerful image of Jesus walking on water, with merchant seamen floating adrift in a lifeboat after their ship was torpedoed.
The 10-by-19-foot painting was created using sail canvas, marine paints, and spar varnish, and it is a significant historical piece displayed at the USMMA.
Controversy Over the Painting’s Placement
However, the painting has been the subject of controversy in recent years.
In January 2023, a white curtain was placed in front of it following a demand from Michael Weinstein, the founder and president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF).
Weinstein argued that the display of the “massive sectarian painting” in a frequently used meeting room was inappropriate, especially considering the room’s role in handling honor code violations at the academy.
He felt the presence of the painting, depicting the supremacy of Jesus Christ, was a troubling distraction in such a serious setting.
A Divisive Issue at the Academy
Weinstein expressed his concerns further, stating, “The outrageousness of that Jesus painting’s display is only further exacerbated by the fact that this room is also used regularly for USMMA honor code violation boards.”
According to Weinstein, midshipmen, who often face the possibility of expulsion, should not have to confront religious imagery during such crucial moments in their careers.
Duffy’s remarks, and the support they garnered, highlight the deep divide over the painting’s place in the academy.
While some feel it is an important piece of history that should be honored, others see it as an inappropriate display of religious symbolism in a public institution.
The debate continues, but for now, the painting remains covered, and its fate remains uncertain.