Could Trump end Juneteenth as a federal holiday? The short answer: Not on his own
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What is Juneteenth? The holiday's history and significance, explained.
Here's why this once local celebration is significant to U.S. history.
President Donald Trump's efforts to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and make changes to already-existing federal holidays has resulted in a growing concern about the future of Juneteenth, a commemoration of the day slavery was ended in the United States.
Jeremy Paul, a law professor at Northeastern University's School of Law, said folks shouldn't be worried, though. On his own, the president does not have the authority to strike Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
Juneteenth was named a federal holiday under former President Joe Biden in 2021. Signed by Biden into law, June 19 has been recognized as Juneteenth National Independence Day since.
Juneteenth: Is Juneteenth a federal holiday? See 2025 holiday calendar
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth commemorates the complete enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed enslaved African Americans in secessionist states – signed by former President Abraham Lincoln on Jan. 1, 1863.
However, it wasn't until two years later, on June 19, 1865, that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas would learn of their freedom. On this date, Union Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger announced the proclamation to the Galveston community, marking the final day of slavery in the United States.
The name "Juneteenth" is a combination of "June" and "nineteenth," in honor of June 19.
What to know: Are banks, post offices, UPS and FedEx open on Juneteenth 2025?
Has Trump said he wants to end Juneteenth?
No, the president has not directly said he wants to end Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Growing concerns about Juneteenth's future are derived from Trump's rollback of DEI programs nationwide.
The White House did not immediately respond for comment when contacted by USA TODAY on June 17.
Could Trump end Juneteenth as a federal holiday?
On his own, Trump could not end Juneteenth as a federal holiday, Paul said. The only way to "cancel" a federal holiday would be for Congress to pass a proposed bill to do so, which could then be signed by the president.
"(Congress has) not done, and therefore, Juneteenth is and will remain a federal holiday, unless Congress feels otherwise," Paul added.
How many states recognize Juneteenth as a permanent holiday?
Juneteenth is a federal holiday, but states can choose whether they recognize Juneteenth as they wish. At least 30 states and the District of Columbia recognized Juneteenth as a permanent state holiday, according to data from Pew Research Center. Some states, including Alaska and Vermont, are celebrating Juneteenth as a state holiday for the first time this year.
States that do not recognize Juneteenth as a permanent state holiday include Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming, as of June 17. This means Juneteenth is not a paid day off in these states.
What are the differences between federal and state holidays?
The differences between federal and state holidays tend to change on a case-by-case basis, Paul said. However, on all 11 federal holidays, the United States Postal Service (USPS) does not deliver mail. For instance, even though Arizona does not recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday, the USPS will still not deliver mail in the state on June 19 because its a federal holiday.
On the flip side, if a state does not recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday, state government-mandated institutions, like city hall or the DMV, may remain open on June 19, even though federal government-mandated institutions will be closed, Paul explained.
What holidays has Trump tried to change?
Since taking office in January, Trump has proclaimed two new holidays for 2025: Victory Day for World War I on Nov. 11 (a renaming of Veterans Day) and Victory Day for World War II on May 8. As Nov. 11 is already a federal holiday, this year's renaming doesn't really affect the day much. However, May 8 is not a federal holiday. However, Trump's proclamation did not set May 8 as an official federal holiday, meaning federal workers will not have the day off. Trump just proclaimed celebrations of the holiday for 2025.
Trump has also expressed interest in "bringing Columbus Day back," a federal holiday celebrated on the second Monday of October. Many states have begun to recognize the holiday as Indigenous Peoples' Day. In 2021, Biden signed a proclamation recognizing Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples' Day. However, because this was a proclamation and not a law, it ended after the 2021 holiday.
Contributing: Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
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