New Federal Holiday Proposed: June 14th to be 'Trumps Birthday and Flag Day'

The "Trump’s Birthday and Flag Day Holiday Establishment Act" aims to make June 14th—currently Flag Day and also Donald Trump's birthday—a federal public holiday. This bill directly amends Section 6103(a) of Title 5 in the United States Code, which lists all official public holidays.

A New Day Off?

This act means that, if passed, federal employees would get a paid day off on June 14th every year. Non-essential government services would shut down, just like they do on other federal holidays such as Juneteenth and Veterans day. Banks and the stock market would also likely close, and mail delivery would be paused.

Real-World Ripple Effects

For most folks, this would mean a three-day weekend, which, hey, who doesn't love that? Retail and service industry workers might still have to clock in, depending on their employers, but they could potentially earn holiday pay. Think of it like Columbus Day or Presidents' Day—some businesses close, others stay open.

However, mixing a former president's birthday with an existing national observance like Flag Day raises some eyebrows. Federal holidays usually commemorate events or figures of broad historical significance, not individuals who are still active in politics. It's like deciding to rename Independence Day to 'Washington and Jefferson's Independence Day' – it feels a bit off, right?

The Bigger Picture

The bill essentially merges two observances into one. While Flag Day celebrates the adoption of the American flag, adding a specific person's name to the holiday could be seen as unusual, especially given that the individual is a recent, and potentially future, political figure. It's a bit like finding out your boss declared 'National Boss's Day' and made it a paid holiday on their own birthday—a little self-serving, maybe? This move might not sit well with everyone, especially those who don't want their national holidays mixed with modern politics.

And while an extra day off is always tempting, this bill could set a tricky precedent. If we start naming holidays after living political figures, where does it stop? It opens the door to potential debates and maybe even some political gamesmanship down the line. It also begs the question if it is a good idea to create a holiday for someone, who attempted to overthrow the government.