Did Trump Get Rid of Holidays?
The end of the Trump administration has sparked a plethora of discussions and debates about the policies and decisions made during his presidency. One such topic that has garnered significant attention is whether or not President Donald Trump got rid of holidays. This article aims to delve into this question and explore the facts surrounding it.
Background on Trump’s Presidency
Before addressing the question of whether Trump got rid of holidays, it is important to understand the context of his presidency. Donald Trump served as the 45th President of the United States from January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021. His tenure was marked by numerous controversial decisions and policies, including immigration restrictions, tax reforms, and a conservative judicial appointee agenda.
The Controversy Surrounding Holiday Cuts
One of the claims made by critics of the Trump administration was that he got rid of holidays. This assertion primarily revolves around the elimination of two federal holidays: Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Washington’s Birthday. Critics argue that these cuts were made to save money and were seen as an attack on the civil rights movement and the nation’s history.
Fact-Checking the Claim
Upon closer examination, it becomes evident that the claim that Trump got rid of holidays is not entirely accurate. While it is true that the Trump administration proposed eliminating the separate federal holidays for Martin Luther King Jr. and Washington’s Birthday, the actual impact of this proposal was minimal.
The Trump administration’s budget proposal suggested merging the two holidays into a single “Washington’s Birthday” holiday, which would have been observed on the third Monday of February. This would have resulted in a single federal holiday, but it would not have reduced the total number of federal holidays. In fact, the number of federal holidays would have remained the same at ten.
Public Reaction and the Outcome
The proposal to merge the two holidays sparked a significant backlash from the public and civil rights organizations. Many people expressed their opposition to the idea, arguing that it was disrespectful to the civil rights movement and the contributions of Martin Luther King Jr.
As a result, the proposal to merge the holidays did not gain traction, and the separate holidays for Martin Luther King Jr. and Washington’s Birthday were preserved. The Trump administration’s budget proposal was ultimately rejected by Congress, and the separate holidays remained intact.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the claim that President Trump got rid of holidays is not entirely accurate. While his administration proposed merging Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Washington’s Birthday, the proposal was met with public opposition and was not implemented. The number of federal holidays remained unchanged during his presidency, and the separate holidays for Martin Luther King Jr. and Washington’s Birthday were preserved.
