When White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt gave her first official briefing at the press room this week, she was prepared to answer questions about Executive Orders and potential tariffs on China. She was also ready for unexpected questions since she had invited the corporate media to be part of the White House press corps, showing more openness than her predecessor.
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During the briefing, April Ryan, a CNN contributor and White House correspondent for TheGrio, inquired about the Trump administration’s plans for Black History Month. Black History Month, recognized in February since President Gerald Ford declared it in 1976, was a topic of concern for Ryan due to worries about the administration erasing diversity, equity, and inclusion practices from the federal government.
April Ryan specifically asked, “As we’re dealing with anti-DEI and anti-woke efforts, we understand this administration … is thinking about celebrating Black History Month. Have you got any word on that, anything that you can offer to us?”
Leavitt was prepared:
“As far as I know, this White House certainly still intends to celebrate — and we will continue to celebrate American history and the contributions that all Americans, regardless of race, religion or creed, have made to our great country,” Leavitt said. “And America is back.”
America is indeed back, and President Trump did indeed issue a Black History Month proclamation with a not-so-subtle sign that all black American patriots—not just the ones favored by the left—should be and would be honored.
@POTUS @realDonaldTrump kicks off #BlackHistoryMonth with a proclamation from @WhiteHouse recognizing the work of Thomas Sowell, Clarence Thomas, Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass pic.twitter.com/IRlrw46fsc
— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) January 31, 2025
Here’s the really good stuff from the proclamation (emphasis mine):
Throughout our history, black Americans have been among our country’s most consequential leaders, shaping the cultural and political destiny of our Nation in profound ways. American heroes such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Thomas Sowell, Justice Clarence Thomas, and countless others represent what is best in America and her citizens. Their achievements, which have monumentally advanced the tradition of equality under the law in our great country, continue to serve as an inspiration for all Americans. We will also never forget the achievements of American greats like Tiger Woods, who have pushed the boundaries of excellence in their respective fields, paving the way for others to follow.
This National Black History Month, as America prepares to enter a historic Golden Age, I want to extend my tremendous gratitude to black Americans for all they have done to bring us to this moment, and for the many future contributions they will make as we advance into a future of limitless possibility under my Administration.
It’s a sea change from the days of Joe Biden, who during his presidency honored the likes of Kamala Harris and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in his proclamations.
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This is a long time coming. For years, the accomplishments of black Americans like Thomas and Sowell have been overlooked, downplayed, and blatantly ignored by the left, who seemingly can’t handle any black person who doesn’t fall into line with their radical policies. Back in 2016, the Smithsonian opened the National Museum of African American History and Culture with nary a word about Clarence Thomas to be found in the entire building, something Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) later called an “irresponsible bias.” The Smithsonian eventually added Justice Thomas to an existing display about Justice Thurgood Marshall. Mighty nice of them.
President Trump is holding true to his campaign promise to reverse course on the inequity pushed on Americans by the left, and it’s about darn time that Thomas Sowell and Clarence Thomas get the recognition they deserve.
