Inauguration Day moves for Trump include national day of patriotism. But what is that?

You have viewed all your free articles this month

Or subscribe with your Google account and let Google manage your subscription.

Politics & Government

President Trump has declared a national day of patriotism. But what does that mean?

President Donald Trump formally signs his cabinet nominations into law, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in the President's Room of the Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington. J. Scott Applewhite AP

Newly-inaugurated President Donald Trump hasn’t wasted time implementing some of his policies, signing a law allowing retired Gen. James Mattis to serve as defense secretary and formally nominating several of his Cabinet appointees to the Senate.

But among his actions in his first few hours in office, one in particular had many people scratching their hands.

According to a tweet from the new White House press secretary Sean Spicer Friday afternoon, Trump signed a proclamation for a national day of patriotism.

January 20, 2017

On Twitter and Facebook, social media users reacted strongly. Some blasted the idea as reminiscent of nationalist holidays celebrated in the USSR and Nazi Germany. Some welcomed it as part of Trump’s inaugural pledge to put “America first.” And others asked: Wait, what about the Fourth of July?

January 20, 2017

"> January 20, 2017">

First of all, Trump has not created a new annual federal holiday. Congress is the only body that can do that, and they have done so just four times in the past 100 years, per the Washington Post.

But Trump, as with other presidents, can declare a one-time federal holiday, per CNBC. These holidays only legally apply to federal workers and Washington D.C., though many state governments and private businesses also follow them.

When exactly the national day of patriotism will occur is unclear, and it is also uncertain if it will be a national observance or a federal holiday. National observances do not require that businesses or government agencies close.

But the idea of a day commemorating patriotism is actually not a new idea from Trump. Both Barack Obama and George W. Bush signed proclamations declaring national observances on Sept. 11 for the victims of the terrorist attacks in 2001. Bush and Obama both declared those days “Patriot Day,” and Congress also passed a joint resolution requesting the president issue a similar proclamation each year. It is not clear if Trump intends for his national day of patriotism to be the same day.

As for July Fourth, that day, though it is celebrated with displays of patriotism, is formally known as Independence Day.

Others on social media have suggested that Trump will declare the national day of patriotism to be his birthday, June 14, though there is no evidence of this.

January 20, 2017">

Coincidentally, June 14 is already recognized as National Flag Day by a joint proclamation of Congress, commemorating the day the U.S. formally adopted “the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States.”

Take Us With You

Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

President Trump has declared a national day of patriotism. But what does that mean? | McClatchy Washington Bureau

You have viewed all your free articles this month

Politics & Government

President Trump has declared a national day of patriotism. But what does that mean?

Read Next

Congress

’I’m not a softy by any means,’ Clyburn says as he prepares to help lead Democrats

KEEP READING

MORE POLITICS & GOVERNMENT

Courts & Crime

Trump will have to nominate 9th Circuit judges all over again in 2019

Investigations

Cell signal puts Cohen outside Prague around time of purported Russian meeting

Congress

Lone senator at the Capitol during shutdown: Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts

Elections

California Republicans fear even bigger trouble ahead for their wounded party

Congress

Does Pat Roberts’ farm bill dealmaking make him an ‘endangered species?’

Congress

Ted Cruz’s anti-Obamacare crusade continues with few allies

Take Us With You

McClatchy Washington Bureau App

View Newsletters

Subscriptions

Learn More

Advertising