Why did President Barack Obama cover the Monogram of Jesus Christ when he spoke at Georgetown?

When President Barack Obama spoke at Georgetown University on April 14, the White House requested that all religious symbols and signage that might appear as a backdrop to where the president was to speak be covered up. Georgetown acceded to the request and made sure that the symbol “IHS,” a monogram of the name Jesus Christ, was not in sight.

Public Comments

1. God forbid the secular leader of a secular country try to appear secular.
2. BECAUSE HE IS THE ANTI CHRIST!! THE LORD COMETH SOON!!!! FAST AND HARD!!
3. Because Satan hates the Name of Jesus.
4. Because he's not a religious leader, he's the president.
5. Because the United States of America is a SECULAR country, nothing more nothing less....that is a Government meeting, therefore it shall be secular
6. Please recheck your facts. It was Georgetown University that made that choice, not Obama.
7. hmmm only the anti-christ would do such a thing obama is a "christian" who cant stand JESUS.
8. Because he is the leader of a secular nation not a religious one.
9. GU made the choice to cover it. The White House only requested a simple backdrop.
10. ""The White House," she added, "wanted a simple backdrop of flags and pipe and drape for the speech, consistent with what they've done for other policy speeches."" It was to follow American Presidential Traditions. 26 other symbols (and cross) were not covered. I understand the tradition, however I found that an insult to religion (after all, Obama was the one to go there, not viceversa). And I do support Obama. I just don't agree with this move http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Jesus-Missing-From-Obamas-Georgetown-Speech.html
11. Oh, for crying out loud, the White House asked that everything be covered so there would be a plain background. Stop trying to turn it into something it isn't. It just makes you look ridiculous.
12. I do not know why the Administration chose this course. I doubt very much that the President even knew about it before the fact. It was wrong for the Administration to ask and it was wrong for the University to comply. At the same time, in the overall scheme of things this is not a big deal. With love in Christ.