Transport Secretary Sean Duffy caused a splash when he requested a replica of a painting bound underground of Jesus walking on the water behind his federal desk.
The move comes about a month after 53-year-old Duffy sought a painting of 81-year-old Christ on the Water, as he was once again prominently displayed at the American Merchant Academy in Kings Point, New York, after being sidelined during President Joe Biden’s administration.
Duffy posted on X on Tuesday, revealing a replica of a painting of “Christ on the Water” in his office in Washington, DC, after gaining praise for pulling the original painting from the USMMA basement.
@usmmao Christ in Water Painting gives a beautiful reminder of the power of faith when we need it most.
While taking the pieces out of the academy’s basement and returning to an inconspicuous place, I thought there was no better place to hang a copy here.
– Secretary Shawn Duffy (@secduffy) May 7, 2025
This print is a copy of a 1944 painting by Hunterwood during the US Maritime Service. It depicts Jesus walking on the water, towards the merchant seaman floating on a lifeboat after a torpedo. Once in a prominent location, the painting, created using sail canvas, marine paint and ship varnish, was reportedly moved to a low level that is prone to flooding at the school under USMMA’s Interfaith Sanctuary, known as the Mariners Chapel.
In January 2023, when Biden was still in office, the 10 x 19 feet painting was covered in white curtains after Michael Weinstein, founder of the Military Religion Freedom Foundation, deleted the “Great Painting of Jesus Christ” in the conference room, which was activated in the occupational area of the Occupational Office building in the published administrative building of the Academy Area.
“The outrageous thing about the exhibition of Jesus’ paintings is made even worse by the fact that this room is regularly used for the USMMA Honorary Violation Committee.
Eventually, the painting was moved to a basement, but Fox News reported that it was “prone to flooding.”
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Several lawmakers, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), called on Nunan to protest Weinstein’s request.
“Under the Supreme Court standards for government exhibitions over many years, the painting is in perfect agreement with the establishment clause (in the first amendment to the US Constitution),” Cruz wrote in a statement issued on February 21, 2023.
He said, “Your decision to move it, and your decision to discontinue use of the meeting room it currently exists, suggesting that tens of thousands of mid-seater captains, faculty, staff and visitors believe in the painting they’ve seen for over half a century.”
Catholic Duffy opposes the decision to censor historic works of art.
The mid-captain of the American Merchant Marine Academy exploded with applause when @secduffy requested that the painting be restored of the merchant Mariner, who saves Jesus.
Biden administrators placed curtains on top of the painting before placing them in a flood-prone basement.
“Let’s raise him!” pic.twitter.com/qqvlkxke5r
– John Brown (@jonbrowndc) April 9, 2025
In a speech at Kings Point, asking for the painting to be Lehan, the secretary said, “Can you raise Jesus from the basement? Don’t let Jesus enter the basement! Let him out! Let him raise him!”
The comments prompted a standing ovation from the midship vessels gathered at USMMA.
“Do you want to lift Jesus out of the basement?” asked Duffy in response to the applause. “It’s okay, great!… That was the biggest applause we’ve got.”
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