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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump did not recognize the Juneteenth Holiday yesterday, breaking from a tradition observed by past administrations.
The White House issued no statement, held no event, and offered no public acknowledgment of the holiday. Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas were informed of their freedom, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
When asked about the silence, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president would likely not mark the holiday. “We’re not tracking his signature on any proclamation,” she told reporters.
She added, “I know this is a federal holiday. I want to thank all of you for showing up to work.” Leavitt emphasized, “We’re certainly here. We’re working 24/7 right now.”
Later that evening, Trump posted on Truth Social. He did not mention Juneteenth. Instead, he criticized the growing number of federal holidays. “Too many non-working holidays in America,” he wrote. “They’re costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS. The workers don’t want it either!”
Biden Honors Juneteenth Holiday and Legacy With Action and Presence
In contrast, President Joe Biden hosted a concert and issued a proclamation to honor the day. Biden signed the bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021.
Meanwhile, former President Joe Biden stood where freedom once rang late but loud—Reedy Chapel AME Church in Galveston, Texas. It was from that sacred ground, steeped in our ancestors’ sweat and hope, that he reminded the nation Juneteenth isn’t just history—it’s a charge.
“I don’t come here today to only commemorate the past,” Biden declared. “I come here because we know the good Lord isn’t done with us yet.” And he’s right. As Biden said, “We have work to do.” Because in the shadow of erasure and silence, we must still push America forward.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. The legislation passed swiftly, with overwhelming bipartisan support—415 to 14 in the House and unanimously in the Senate.
The push to recognize Juneteenth federally gained momentum following the 2020 police murder of George Floyd and the nationwide protests that followed. Activists, lawmakers, and community leaders demanded the country reckon more fully with its legacy of slavery and systemic racism.
By 2021, every U.S. state had either recognized or observed Juneteenth in some form. Making it a federal holiday cemented its status as a national day of remembrance and reflection—a milestone in the long struggle for Black freedom and dignity in America.
In signing the bill, President Biden said, “Great nations don’t ignore their most painful moments. They embrace them.”
From Recognition to Retreat: Trump’s Shift on Juneteenth and Racial Equity
Trump had previously acknowledged Juneteenth during his first term. In 2020, he delayed a campaign rally in Tulsa after receiving criticism from the city’s Black community. He even claimed credit for making Juneteenth “very famous.”
However, this year’s silence follows other actions by his administration. Trump recently dismantled several federal diversity and inclusion efforts. Many see his failure to mark Juneteenth as part of his administration’s broader rollback.
President Trump’s critics say his rhetoric has increasingly ignored or dismissed issues important to Black Americans. Meanwhile, Biden’s team has doubled down on public celebrations and education efforts.
This year marked the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth. Across the country, communities held festivals, readings, and memorials to honor Black freedom.
Trump’s silence, paired with his press secretary’s remarks, signals a deliberate break from those efforts.
Trump’s policies make all people, no matter their race, more prosperous, and safe. He doesn’t pander to anyone just to get their votes like the Democrats do