Will June 14 be celebrated as Donald Trump Day? Ohio Republicans want to honor 'greatest American president ever'
Former president Donald Trump might have left the White House, but he continues to be a subject of discussion. Now, two members of the Ohio House of Representatives want a formal recognition of Trump's "accomplishments". Jon Cross and Reggie Stoltzfus demand that June 14, Trump's birthday, should be a day for honoring the former president, Columbus Dispatch reported. They emailed House colleagues on January 30, requesting them to co-sponsor an upcoming bill "to celebrate one of the greatest presidents in American history". They said, "Let's show the 3,154,834 Ohio voters who cast their ballot to re-elect Donald J Trump that we as a legislature recognize the accomplishments of his administration." This comes in the midst of the bitter accusations in the National Republican party after Trump was impeached for inciting the Capitol rioters.
Senate leader Mitch McConnell, who had been a voracious Trump supporter till now, turned away from him and refuses to disclose how he will vote in the trial. Other influential senators have tried to block the trial including Rand Paul who called it "deranged". After this, the 10 Republican congressmen who voted with the Democrats to impeach him, received backlash from their colleagues and voters. Liz Cheney, the No. 3 House Republican, was confronted with angry calls and screaming Trump fans said they would give her the boot, in Wyoming.
If Ohio indeed goes ahead with Trump Day, it will not be the first time an ex-president would have been honoured in such a manner. In fact, Ronald Reagan's birthday, February 6, is celebrated in California schools with "exercises remembering the life of Ronald Reagan, recognizing his accomplishments, and familiarizing pupils with the contributions he made to California." There are another 40 states including Ohio, that recognize some form of Ronald Reagan Day. In 2017, Illinois voted in 2017 to celebrate Barack Obama Day, every year on August 4. However some in Ohio are against the date of the proposed Trump Day, pointing out June 14 is already a holiday, Flag Day, which commemorates the adoption of the American flag on June 14, 1777.
"I don’t like the idea of changing an existing federal holiday that honors the flag. I think it’s disrespectful," Representative Jeff Crossman told Dispatch. Trump has not been in the spotlight since leaving the White House but was seen beaming at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida this week. He had held a meeting there with House minority leader Kevin McCarthy. Afterwards Donald Trump Jr said he was "exciting to be working closely with him to take back the House in 2022". Trump Sr's supporters are said to be planning another run at the presidency in 2024.
On January 6, a swarm of Trump supporters scaled Capitol Hill to riot against Joe Biden's inaugration. Trump sent out encouraging messages to them in social media videos, which led to his Twitter and Facebook accounts being suspended. Melania Trump put out a statement about the riots and the gossip surrounding her saying, "I find it shameful that surrounding these tragic events there has been salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on me – from people who are looking to be relevant and have an agenda. This time is solely about healing our country and its citizens. It should not be used for personal gain,” Melania said, before stating, “Our Nation must heal in a civil manner. Make no mistake about it, I absolutely condemn the violence that has occurred on our Nation's Capitol. Violence is never acceptable."
