President Donald Trump made headlines on Juneteenth by expressing his discontent with what he described as “too many non-working holidays” in the United States.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump commented, “It is costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed. The workers don’t want it either! Soon we’ll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year. It must change if we are going to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
His remarks came under scrutiny as it was unclear if he was specifically referring to Juneteenth when he mentioned the non-working holidays.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was questioned about Trump’s potential commemoration of Juneteenth, to which she responded, “I’m not tracking his signature on a proclamation today. I know this is a federal holiday. I want to thank all of you for showing up to work. We are certainly here. We’re working 24/7 right now.”
Contrary to what his previous actions might suggest, Trump did not make any public statements regarding Juneteenth this year, nor were there any events held at the White House to mark the occasion.
This year, many retailers and businesses across the country chose to remain open on Juneteenth despite the federal holiday status, although their hours of operation varied.
During his first term, Trump distinguished himself by issuing statements each year that celebrated the significance of Juneteenth, a day commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States, which was officially recognized as a federal holiday on June 19, 2021, under President Joe Biden.
Historical context reveals that the day marks the anniversary when over 250,000 enslaved individuals in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom in 1865. This event, known as Juneteenth, was initially celebrated by Black communities in Texas and saw a resurgence during the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s.
Reflecting on the meaning of Juneteenth in 2017, Trump stated, “Today, we celebrate this historic moment in 1865, as we remember our Nation’s fundamental premise that all men and women are created equal.”
He also acknowledged the historical bravery of nearly 200,000 African Americans who fought for liberty during the Civil War in his 2018 remarks on the holiday.
Trump’s continued praises of Juneteenth in subsequent years highlighted the rich history tied to the holiday. In 2019 and 2020, he reiterated similar themes concerning the meaning and significance of Juneteenth.
Interestingly, the last Juneteenth during his presidency coincided with a time when he was facing criticism for planning campaign rallies amid the COVID-19 pandemic. After backlash, he decided to postpone one such rally by a day.
In a 2020 interview, he even took credit for making Juneteenth “very famous,” claiming that few people were aware of its importance before he brought attention to it.
These recent developments and comments have sparked both support and controversy regarding Trump’s views on federal holidays and their impact on the American workforce.
image source from：masslive
