Trump inauguration and MLK Day rarely coincide in rare overlaps: NPR

Federal holidays collide in a rare overlap Monday, which is both Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

President-elect Donald Trump’s second inauguration is just the third time a president has taken the oath of office on the day dedicated to honoring the late civil rights leader. Former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama both did so during their second inaugurations, in 1997 and 2013.

The two events are not expected to do so fall back together until January 2053 due to their special requirements and quirks in the calendar.

MLK Day – which was approved as a federal holiday in 1983 and has been recognized in all 50 states since 2000—always takes place on the third Monday in January because it falls close to his birthday on January 15.

Inauguration Day has been held on January 20 since its adoption 20th amendment in 1933.

Presidents had previously taken their oaths in early March because of the length of time it took to tabulate votes and travel to DC, creating a long lame-duck period that Congress was eager to shorten as soon as technological advances permitted it. In 1937, Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first president to be inaugurated on January 20.

This year, with January 20 falling on a Sunday, a private swearing-in ceremony will be held that day followed by a public ceremony on January 21 – as was the case with Obama’s second initiation.

Obama took the oath of office that year with the help of a Bible which had belonged to the King himself.

Some Trump critics see irony in the overlap

Because Monday is a federal holiday, entities such as the US Postal Service, banks and many schools will be closed.

However, there are plenty of ways for Americans to keep busy, from watching Trump’s inauguration to streaming King Center’s commemoration. People may also want to volunteer in their communities since MLK Day is designated as one service day.

Trump’s inauguration schedule does not appear to include any MLK-specific events.

The incoming president has drawn criticism for comparing himself to King. At a press conference in August, he said falsely claimed that his demonstration on January 6, 2021 drew a larger crowd than King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech at the 1963 March on Washington.

“When you look at the exact same picture … of his crowd, my crowd, we actually had more people,” Trump said. “They said I had 25,000 and he had a million people, and I’m okay with that because I liked Dr. Martin Luther King.”

Some Democratic legislators and Black activists plans to skip or postpone Trump’s inauguration in favor of MLK Day.

Some have pointed to Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric, including talk of political retaliation, and policy positions — such as promises of mass deportations — that they say are at odds with King’s message and legacy.

“I plan to spend Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend in my district at community events that nourish our collective soul and commit us to building a future rooted in love,” said Massachusetts Rep. Ayana Pressley. member station GBH.

Not sure how to observe the day? The King’s descendants have ideas

In response to posts urging people to watch the MLK service instead of the inauguration, Bernice King — King’s daughter — said took to Instagram last month to encourage people to pay attention to both.

“I certainly understand the desire to tune out rhetoric, ideology and policies with which we passionately disagree and which contradict the spirit of the beloved community,” King wrote. “But we need to pay attention to what President-elect Trump speaks that day, even if it’s by transcript and video later.”

People cannot address language and legislation if they are not strategic in their listening, she added, warning that “this is not the time for ignorance.”

King’s eldest son, Martin Luther King III — who supported Vice President Kamala Harris – running for president – also encouraged people to get involved in the day, although he did not explicitly talk about the inauguration.

“MLK Day is a reminder to move from reflection to action,” he tweetedresubmitting an article about the overlapping dates. “My father’s legacy was rooted in service and action. My mother envisioned a ‘day on,’ not a day off—an opportunity to serve and engage in building the beloved community.”