Less than three months after President Donald Trump grumbled that Americans have “too many non-working holidays,” the White House has suggested he would not oppose creating another one — this time in honor of Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist recently shot dead in Utah.
When asked on Monday if the president would support a new law designating a federal holiday for Kirk, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “I’m sure he wouldn’t oppose such a thing.”
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was killed earlier this month by an assassin in Utah. His death has prompted Republican lawmakers to push for recognition. Last week, the Senate passed a resolution declaring October 14 — the date that would have been Kirk’s 32nd birthday — a “National Day of Remembrance”, reported the Independent.
The House of Representatives adopted a similar resolution. Neither, however, carries the legal weight to create an official federal holiday. Almost one hundred Democrats either voted against the measure or chose not to back it by voting “present.”
Making a federal holiday official requires an act of Congress and the president’s signature. The last time such a measure passed was in 2021, when Joe Biden signed a bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday. The commemoration, held on 19 June, marks the day Union troops enforced the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas, finally ending slavery in the last parts of the United States where it was still practiced.
During his first term, Trump recognized Juneteenth with a presidential proclamation and even pledged support for legislation to make it a holiday when he was campaigning in 2020. But his tune has changed since returning to the White House. On this year’s Juneteenth he took to Truth Social to blast the very holiday he once praised.
“Too many non-working holidays in America. It is costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed. The workers don’t want it either!” he wrote.
He added: “Soon we’ll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year. It must change if we are going to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
The contradiction between Trump’s recent attacks on federal holidays and his apparent willingness to accept one for Kirk has not gone unnoticed. Supporters of the slain activist see it as a fitting tribute to a man they view as a powerful voice for conservative youth, while critics argue the proposal is politically motivated and unlikely to advance beyond symbolic resolutions.
Federal holidays are rare additions to the American calendar, with only eleven in existence. Creating a twelfth would require bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress — a steep challenge in the current climate. Still, with Trump’s press secretary leaving the door open, the idea of a Charlie Kirk holiday is already fuelling fierce debate in Washington.
Q: Would the president like to see Congress pass a national holiday honoring Charlie Kirk annually?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 22, 2025
LEAVITT: I'm sure he wouldn't oppose such a thing pic.twitter.com/cqq39UAJfL
