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On Thursday, President Donald Trump did not mark Juneteenth, the federal holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, except to question its existence — and that of other “non-working holidays” — in a Truth Social post that made no direct mention of the occasion.
“Soon we’ll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year,” Trump posted, adding, “It must change if we are going to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
This marked a sharp departure from past presidential traditions, especially following Juneteenth’s designation as a federal holiday in 2021. Enacted by then-President Joe Biden in the wake of the 2020 racial justice protests, Juneteenth has since been honored at the White House — until now.
White House Press Office: No Plans for Celebration
Asked during Thursday’s press briefing whether Trump planned to issue a proclamation or otherwise acknowledge the day, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt replied, “I’m not tracking his signature on a proclamation today.”
While she acknowledged Juneteenth was a federal holiday, Leavitt emphasized that White House staff had reported for work as usual. In contrast, Trump has issued proclamations for Flag Day, Father’s Day, and the anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill in recent days — none of which are federal holidays.
Trump’s Shift from Past Juneteenth Recognition
The lack of recognition stands in contrast to Trump’s own past actions. During his first term, Trump released official Juneteenth statements each year from 2017 to 2019, praising figures like Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger and Black Civil War soldiers.
But his second term has seen a significant rollback of federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and Black history programs. Trump has cut funding for DEI and moved to restrict mentions of systemic racism in federal training, leading critics to accuse his administration of trying to “erase Black history.”
Criticism from Black Leaders and Civil Rights Groups
Civil rights leaders used the Juneteenth holiday to criticize Trump’s actions. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), the first Black leader of either party in Congress, accused the administration of “an intentional effort to turn back the clock.”
“Today, we celebrate the freedom that Black Americans long fought for and the rich culture that grew from that great struggle,” Jeffries said. “That struggle roars on.”
Adding further tension, the NAACP, the nation’s oldest civil rights organization, announced this week that it would not invite President Trump to its upcoming national convention — a break from 116 years of tradition.
A Holiday Under Threat?
While Trump cannot repeal Juneteenth without congressional action, his messaging signals a broader campaign to reduce federal recognition of historic Black struggles. His call to eliminate “non-working holidays” raised eyebrows, especially as Juneteenth celebrations continued nationwide, albeit on tighter budgets in cities affected by federal funding cuts to equity programs.
Contrast with Biden’s Approach
Under Biden, Juneteenth became a major White House event. He hosted concerts on the South Lawn, issued annual remarks honoring Black Americans’ historical struggle, and defended DEI efforts against political backlash.
As Trump now signals a reversal of that cultural shift, many view this year’s Juneteenth as a litmus test for how America will remember — or choose to forget — its own history.
“The silence is loud,” one civil rights activist posted on X, formerly Twitter. “We see what this White House prioritizes — and what it doesn’t.”
