Trump Claims He’s “Bringing Back” Columbus Day — But It Never Left

Former President Donald Trump made headlines again by claiming he will "reinstate" Columbus Day as a federal holiday. However, the reality is a bit different. Columbus Day remains a federal holiday, even though many states and cities now celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day instead.

Let’s break down what’s really happening.

Trump’s Announcement on Truth Social

On Sunday, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he is "bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes."

He blamed Democrats for trying to "destroy" the holiday and the legacy of Christopher Columbus. Trump said:

"They tore down his statues and put up nothing but ‘WOKE,’ or even worse, nothing at all! Well, you’ll be happy to know, Christopher is going to make a major comeback."

Trump added that the holiday will be reinstated "under the same rules, dates, and locations" it had for decades.

Can a President Reinstate a Federal Holiday?

The short answer is no — not by himself.

A U.S. President cannot create or cancel a federal holiday on their own.

According to the U.S. Constitution, only Congress has the power to pass laws that establish federal holidays.

A president can issue a proclamation or an executive order to recognize a day for special observance (like a National Day of Mourning), but this would only apply for one year unless renewed annually.

In other words, Columbus Day was never officially removed, and Trump cannot simply "bring it back" without Congress.

Columbus Day vs. Indigenous Peoples Day

In recent years, many cities and states have shifted their focus from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day. This move reflects a broader effort to honor Native American history and culture instead of celebrating a figure associated with colonization and oppression.

Here’s a quick look:

• States that celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day: Maine, Vermont, New Mexico, and Washington, D.C.
• Major cities observing Indigenous Peoples Day: Los Angeles, Seattle, and many more.
• States that recognize both holidays: New York, Rhode Island, and Nebraska.

According to research by Axios in October 2024, more than half of U.S. states do not officially recognize Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day as a state holiday.

The Controversy Around Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus has been a controversial figure for many years. While some celebrate him as a bold explorer who opened the door to the Americas, others point out that his expeditions led to the mistreatment, displacement, and deaths of Indigenous peoples.

Critics highlight that Columbus:

Enslaved native people

Initiated violent colonization efforts

Was involved in acts of cruelty and genocide

As awareness of these issues grew, protests erupted.

In the summer of 2020, during the Black Lives Matter movement, at least 33 Columbus statues were vandalized or removed, according to CBS News.

Political Moves Regarding the Holiday

In Fall 2023, Senator Martin Heinrich and several House representatives proposed making Indigenous Peoples Day a federal holiday, officially replacing Columbus Day. However, neither the Senate nor the House voted on these bills.

Meanwhile, President Biden, starting in 2021, became the first president to officially acknowledge Indigenous Peoples Day with a White House proclamation. Still, he continued to recognize Columbus Day alongside it.

This shows that while many parts of America are shifting the focus, Columbus Day is still federally recognized.

Why Trump’s Statement Matters

Donald Trump’s comments are part of his broader campaign to appeal to voters who feel traditional American symbols and holidays are under attack. By talking about Columbus Day, he taps into debates about "woke culture" and national pride.

However, the facts remain:

Columbus Day was never canceled as a federal holiday.

Only Congress can make changes to federal holidays.

Trump’s promise to "reinstate" something that was never legally removed is more about political messaging than real legal action.

Donald Trump’s claim about bringing back Columbus Day sounds dramatic, but the truth is that the holiday still exists at the federal level. Over the years, many Americans have shifted their attention toward Indigenous Peoples Day to honor the true history and cultures of Native communities.

While the debate around Columbus Day continues, any real change to federal holiday status must come through Congress — not a single presidential order.

As the 2024 elections heat up, expect to hear more from Trump and others about protecting traditional American holidays and values. But it’s important to separate facts from political slogans.

Disclaimer

This content has been created by an AI language model and is intended to provide general information. While we strive to deliver accurate and reliable content, it may not always reflect the latest developments or expert opinions. The content should not be considered as professional or personalized advice. We encourage you to seek professional guidance and verify the information independently before making decisions based on this content.

This information is sourced from AXIOS