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Secret message spotted in code on new White House website

A hidden code has emerged on the new White House website after US President Joe Biden’s inauguration.

IT experts noticed a secret message hidden within the coding after the Biden-Harris Administration launched its new website.

Hidden in the HTML code on www.whitehouse.gov was an invitation for people to apply for the US Digital Service, a technology unit within the White House.

The Biden-Harris Administration written across the new White House website.
The new White House website was launched after the inauguration. Source: Whitehouse.gov

It was a creative way to target people who could access code, likely meaning they would have the requisite skills for the job.

“If you’re reading this, we need your help building back better,” the hidden message within the code read.

Next to it was a link to where people could apply for a role within the US Digital Service.

Former President Barack Obama launched the service in 2014 to recruit technology experts to help revamp government services – for example by modernising Medicare's payment system or reforming hiring practices across government agencies.

A secret message in the HTML coding on the White House website is circled in red.
The hidden message in the HTML code on the White House website. Source: Twitter

Tech specialists join the Digital Service typically for one or two years.

Eagle-eyed Twitter users quickly spotted the hidden message on the website, with people praising the administration’s creativity.

“I love the White House easter egg in their code,” one wrote.

“The United States Digital Service did a fantastic job with the updates to the White House [website]. Love dark mode and the toggle to make the font size larger, plus, the call to action in the HTML source code fills my heart with joy,” another said.

“Clever,” a third added.

Biden ‘wastes no time’ in top job

Biden has wasted no time in the top job and started signing executive orders just hours after he was inaugurated.

On Wednesday (local time), Biden began signing 17 executive orders, memorandums and proclamations – of which 15 were executive actions addressing the coronavirus pandemic, climate change and racial inequality.

He also undid some policies that were put in place during Donald Trump’s four-year term.

The first order Biden signed was to mandate the wearing of face masks and social distancing in federal buildings and on all federal lands amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“This is going to be the first of many,” Biden told reporters as he signed the first orders.

“There’s no time to waste, get to work immediately.”

He added he would be signing a number of orders over the next several days.

With Reuters

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