Trump Skips Juneteenth, Says America Has Too Many Paid Holidays

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The year, the Trump White House broke from a four-year stretch of official recognition by skipping formal ceremonies or proclamations for Juneteenth. In past years, Republican and Democratic administrations alike commemorated the federal holiday with formal messages or public observances. This week, however, the Trump administration offered no such gesture and went on its day normally.

Asked about the president’s plans, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that “I’m not tracking his signature on a proclamation today.” She acknowledged that while June 19 was a federal holiday, she thanked reporters for working and noted that staff remained on duty.

What Juneteenth Commemorates

Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865 as the day Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform the last enslaved Americans of their freedom. This occurred two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. The Thirteenth Amendment, ratified later that year, formally abolished slavery across the United States.

The holiday became a federal observance in 2021 under President Joe Biden. That year, he signed bipartisan legislation establishing Juneteenth as the nation’s eleventh federal holiday. Since then, public schools, offices, and banks have closed in observance each June 19.

Trump’s Criticism of Federal Holidays

Instead of commemorating the day, President Trump criticized the growing list of paid federal holidays. In a Truth Social post published Thursday afternoon, he wrote, “Too many non-working holidays in America. It is costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed.” He continued, “The workers don’t want it either.” He concluded the post by calling for reform. “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!”

No formal response was provided regarding why the administration deviated from White House guidance earlier this month that said Trump intended to issue a Juneteenth proclamation. The president held no public events that day. His social posts focused on Federal Reserve policy, TikTok, and immigration enforcement.

How Past Presidents Marked the Day

President Biden previously hosted concerts on the South Lawn, inviting performers such as Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, and gospel artist Kirk Franklin. This year, he traveled to Galveston to speak at Reedy Chapel AME Church, a historic site tied to the original Juneteenth announcement.

Trump himself acknowledged Juneteenth during his first term. In 2017 and 2018, his proclamations praised the holiday’s “soulful festivities” and called it a “reminder of America’s ability to overcome darkness.” In 2020, however, Trump drew criticism for scheduling a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 19. That rally was later moved to June 20 after backlash from civil rights groups. In an interview at the time, Trump claimed to have “made Juneteenth very famous,” stating that few Americans were aware of it before his presidency.

Juneteenth Reactions and Backlash

Civil rights groups and some lawmakers took note of this year’s silence. The NAACP confirmed it would not invite President Trump to its national convention for the first time in more than a century. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a statement criticizing the administration’s “intentional effort to turn back the clock.”

In recent months, the administration has also moved to eliminate federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Critics say the rollback coincides with efforts to limit education about Black history in federal training programs and public institutions.

Despite the White House’s inaction, events continued across the country. Local governments and community groups hosted parades, concerts, and educational events to mark Juneteenth and its historical significance.

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