President Donald Trump issued a message acknowledging Martin Luther King Jr Day after being criticized for remaining silent about the holiday for most of the day.
Since the holiday was established in 1983, every sitting U.S. President has paid tribute to the late civil rights leader. Many were concerned that Trump would be the first president to not observe the day this year.
Earlier on Monday, civil rights organizations, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, described Trump’s silence as a conscious decision to not honor MLK.
In response to the backlash, the President delivered a last-minute tribute to the famed civil rights leader.
After spending most of the day discussing various topics other than MLK, the president finally acknowledged the holiday just after 8pm EST, posting a formal message on the White House website.
In a 400-word message, Trump recognized the federal holiday and highlighted Martin Luther King Jr’s role in leading a movement that reaffirmed the national belief in the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
However, the announcement did not mention MLK’s advocacy for Black Americans or his efforts to promote equality and end racial segregation.
This move was notably different from the administration’s current approach, which has been criticized for undermining racial diversity and efforts to weaken federal civil rights laws.
The President’s statement came shortly after he criticized the 1964 Civil Rights Act, claiming it caused harm to many people.
Previously, he argued that civil rights policies intended to ensure equal opportunities for Black Americans led to white people being treated poorly, referring to it as ‘reverse discrimination.’
His policy proposals, such as attempts to alter birthright citizenship guaranteed by the 14th Amendment and immigration policies based on language and ethnicity, contrast with the equality MLK fought for.
In December, under his direction, the National Parks Service announced it would stop offering free park admission on King Day and Juneteenth, instead choosing dates like Flag Day and Trump’s birthday.