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On Rev. Martin Luther King Day we celebrated the life of America’s greatest civil rights leader, while the man who would be king, President Donald J. Trump, leads our nation in opposition what Dr. King fought for: racial equality and human rights for Blacks and the poor through nonviolent civil disobedience.
The Trump administration has cut free entrance to national parks on MLK’s birthday and Juneteenth, actions that clearly show the broader strategy to minimize Black history.
While Trump paid lip service to the legacy and contributions of MLK during his first term, now his primary goal is to diminish the heroic struggles of MLK and Andrew Young and so many Black civil rights heroes. Trump doesn’t respect heroism or compassion, and this was clear when, according General Mark Milley, Trump called the heroes buried in Arlington Cemetery suckers and losers.
In view of the Trump efforts to diminish civil rights and erase the history of the civil rights movement, it’s critically important that our schools teach the true history of the civil rights movement, and warn students of the threats to civil rights and justice that we face today.
Michael J. Gorman
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Valete
I am not a big-fan of Mr. Gorman’s letters, but after reading his letter, “MLK Day Reflections,” about the Trump administration’s decision to stop free entry to the National Park System on Juneteenth and Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, I felt it was important to look into this a bit more.
Mr. Gorman’s letter contains several inaccuracies, particularly in associating Mr. Trump with Rudyard Kipling’s story, “The Man Who Would Be King.” The central theme of Kipling's story revolves around two British soldiers’ aspirations to rule Kafiristan, making Mr. Gorman’s comparison irrelevant.
As a passionate National Park System enthusiast, I understand the significance of an annual admission pass. While fewer free entry days may not reduce our visits to iconic spots like Yellowstone, Yosemite, or the Grand Canyon, it’s crucial that everyone can enjoy these remarkable places, even for a few days annually. Limited access, even slightly, can significantly impact our perception and appreciation of these spaces.
Thus, the Trump administration’s decision to remove Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and Juneteenth from the list of “free National Park days” is controversial.
In conclusion, General Mark Milley’s allegations against Mr. Trump have been criticized due to Milley’s checkered past.
Friday, January 23 Report this
Valete
I’m not a big fan of Mr. Gorman’s letters and opinions, so when I read this one, I decided to look into it a bit.
It turns out that the Trump administration did take MLK’s birthday and Juneteenth off the list of free National Park entries. But Gorman’s idea that the Trump administration did this just to ignore Black history is a bit much, though the removal has definitely caused some debate.
Regarding Gorman’s claim that Mr. Trump wanted to make MLK’s birthday less important, that’s just his perspective. In reality, Mr. Trump acknowledged MLK’s birthday in 2026 with a proclamation that celebrated MLK’s incredible determination and dedication to justice. However, Gorman didn’t mention that in his letter to The Chief, which he posted on January 21, 2026.
Saturday, January 24 Report this