Today is Mothers’ Day, a uniquely American holiday, a holiday which is marked by preschoolers proudly presenting their little handprints in clay to their mommies, families taking their mothers to overpriced restaurants for lunch, and long-distance phone calls to moms from distant children. Adults whose mothers have passed on are flooded with memories on this day. As a mom who lost her own mother three years ago, this day is now always bittersweet for me.

President Obama, in his weekly address from the White House, paid homage to First Lady Michelle and his mother-in-law, and encouraged Americans to honor the important women in their lives. Sure, he managed to squeeze in his favorite old chestnuts about paid maternity leave, affordable child care, and a “decent” minimum wage. He even managed to trot out his favorite clichés “fair share” and “do the right thing,” but overall it was a nice address.

But his Presidential Proclamation at whitehouse.gov had a little something extra:

On Mother’s Day, we celebrate those who are the first to welcome us into the world. Performing the most important work there is, mothers — biological, foster, or adoptive — are our first role models and earliest motivators. They balance enormous responsibilities and shape who we become as adults, their lessons guiding us throughout life. Regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status, mothers have always moved our Nation forward and remained steadfast in their pursuit of a better and brighter future for their children. (Boldface mine.)

Yes. He went there. The most touchy, hot-button social issue of the day, and he had to sully a sweet holiday like Mothers’ Day with it.

Social justice warriors are fond of wrecking some of our favorite holidays with an insatiable need to make everyone feel guilty. They love to tell us how Mary and Joseph were homeless, or that celebrating Valentines’ Day in schools might be offensive to children not born here. Now along comes President Obama to try to guilt us into regarding a transwoman whose raison d’être is to convince us of a falsehood as the equal of women who have centered their lives upon loving and raising their children, whether those children are biologically their own or are adopted.

Just. Stop. There will be other days, weeks, and months, in which to debate transgender issues. But Obama just can’t keep from politicizing one American holiday that should be left as wholesome as, well, Mom and apple pie.