1 of 1 Photo: Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images News / Getty Images
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday (April 27) his intention to restore Columbus Day to its former prominence, accusing Democrats of undermining the legacy of Christopher Columbus. Trump made this statement on Truth Social, declaring, "I'm bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes." He criticized efforts to replace the holiday with Indigenous Peoples Day, a change that has been adopted by over 200 cities and multiple states.
According to Axios, while Columbus Day remains a federal holiday, its recognition has diminished in recent years. President Joe Biden was the first to formally acknowledge Indigenous Peoples Day alongside Columbus Day, highlighting the contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples.
Despite Trump's pledge, AP News reports that a president cannot unilaterally change federal holidays; such actions require congressional approval. Trump has long opposed the portrayal of American history through a lens of diversity and oppression, arguing that Columbus Day should remain a nod to the country's growing diversity.
The debate over Columbus Day has been contentious, with protests leading to the vandalism of Columbus statues during the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. Trump's administration previously funded the restoration of a Columbus statue in Baltimore.