The administration of US President Donald Trump has come under fire for misrepresenting values that American civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for, as the nation marked the American civil rights leader's 34st birthday anniversary.
The president himself was slammed for making a very short stop at the MLK memorial in West Potomac ParkWashington, DC. While many expected the president to give a speech, he only exchanged a few pleasantries with reporters.
“Good morning everybody, it’s a great day, it’s a beautiful day and thank you for being here, appreciate it,” he said before going back to the White House.
.@realDonaldTrump and @VP lay a wreath at the #MLKJr memorial. After saying good morning, he left. Total trip time: about a minute or two. pic.twitter.com/KZgctfrX5B
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) January 21, 2019
The president later on posted a tweet to mark the occasion.
“Today we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for standing up for the self-evident truth Americans hold so dear, that no matter what the color of our skin or the place of our birth, we are all created equal by God. #MLKDay,” he wrote.
Pence promotes Mexico wall, compares Trump to MLK
Vice President Mike Pence also prompted heavy criticism on Monday, after attempting to use the occasion to promote his boss’ controversial wall on the border with Mexico and justify an almost one-month-long shutdown of the federal government over its funding.
Speaking to MSNBC, Pence said Trump’s insistence on funding the border wall as the only way to end
“One of my favorite quotes from Dr. King was 'now is the time to make real the promises of democracy.' You think of how he changed America,” Pence said.
“He inspired us to change through the legislative process to become a more perfect union. That's exactly what President Trump is calling on the Congress to do: Come to the table in a spirit of good faith. We'll secure our border, we'll reopen our government,” the VP added.
The longest ever shutdown in US history began on December 22, after Democrats refused to include $5.7 billion Trump had requested for the wall in next year’s budget.
Trump believes that the wall is the only “real” way of blocking an influx of drugs and illegal immigrants through the southern border.
The shutdown has left some 800,000 federal employees either furloughed or unpaid. They missed their first paycheck earlier this month.
'He built bridges not walls,' King’s son fires back
Pence’s remarks drew fire from MLK’s son, Martin Luther King III, who blasted the vice president for attempting to compare Trump to his father.
“Now, Martin Luther King Jr. was a bridge builder, not a wall builder. Martin Luther King Jr. would say love not hate would make America great. Did you all hear that? Love not hate would make America great. See, we hadn't achieved, we've had spurts of greatness,” he said.
He said this year’s MLK Day was more special “because I wonder what my father would be thinking” of the current administration.
Trump has been accused of advocating bigoted policies on immigration and race relations both during campaign and after entering office.
Sarah Sanders stirs more chaos
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee-Sanders triggered an angry wave of reactions after tweeting her MLK Day message.
Today we honor a great American who gave his life to right the wrong of racial inequality. Our country is better thanks to his inspiration and sacrifice #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/wWYdNWtGuy
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) January 21, 2019
The tribute did not go as planned.
You dishonor #MLK daily with your lies, misdirections and distractions, defending policies that are diametrically opposed to #MLK's mission and vision. #HaveaSeat!
— Karen Hunter (@karenhunter) January 21, 2019
He didn’t give his life he was assassinated for his beliefs.
— Beth Bryson (@maddezmom) January 21, 2019
“Gave up his life”? Oh girl he was brutally murdered fighting racism and injustice. Like MURDERED!
— Dewayne “Not Dwayne” Perkins (@DewaynePerkins) January 21, 2019
His life was taken by a racist, not given. You and your clan really are emotionally bankrupt. Please be better.
— Jeff B. Davis (@JeffBryanDavis) January 21, 2019
Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929. The campaign to make his birthday a national holiday began after his assassination in 1968.
However, various administrations rejected the plea until 1983, when President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law. The first anniversary was observed three years later.
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