In a historic address to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Secretary of Transportation Scott Duffy announced that a portrait of Jesus would be returned to its place of honor after the Biden Administration ordered it removed to a damp basement. The announcement was met with thunderous applause and widespread celebration from the assembled midshipmen and online commenters.
For context, the painting “Christ on the Water” or “Jesus and Lifeboat” depicts Jesus appearing before merchant mariners adrift in a lifeboat. The historically significant piece, which is tied deeply to the culture of the USMMA, was initially hidden by a sheet based on orders from the Biden administration until it was later moved to a basement.
Starting his remarks, Sec. Duffy praised the students at the academy. He said, “You can be part of DOD, and so I just, I want you to know that I understand the conditions here, and I am going to fight my ass off to make sure you all get to be spent in the money that this academy deserves (sic).”
Building off his point, Duffy promised to return the painting to its traditional location. He explained, “Again, not only smart, not only strong, but you are a great-looking bunch of young people. And so with that, as you go, as you all go into your careers, God bless you, and may God keep you safe. Can we bring Jesus up from the basement?”
Concluding his remarks, Duffy acknowledged the thunderous applause and promised to return the academy to its former glory. Duffy said, “That was the loudest applause we got. We are going to work on that together and funding for the Academy. May God bless you all. Stay safe.”
A clip of the interaction went viral on social media after Christian journalist John Brown posted it to X on April 8, 2025. Brown said, “Midshipmen at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy erupted in applause when @SecDuffy demanded a painting of Jesus saving merchant mariners be restored. The Biden admin put a curtain over the painting before putting it in a flood-prone basement.”
In the comments, conservatives flocked to applaud the decision. One of the comments read, “What a connection he had with those young people. Has any senior official ever so openly committed their support for the Merchant Marine Academy? I know how pumped up I would be.” Another response read, “I am erupting in applause! We are not a beacon to the world when what makes us a light is buried and hidden rather than leading us on.”
Rounding out the comments, some accounts shared their own experiences with the painting. One such comment read, “In the early ‘00’s while serving at Oceana NAS, I found a lovely framed print in a storage room of a sailor with Jesus. Command didn’t want it. I still have it. Happy to hear @SecDuffy restoring the MM’s to its rightful place.” Another said, “Hallelujah!!!!! What a WONDERFUL way to restore morale and put Jesus back at the helm!!! No pun intended.”