Biden should be thanking Trump for trying to fix the mess he’s made.
GALVESTON, TX — June 19, 2025 — Former President Joe Biden marked Juneteenth with a political sermon in Texas, using the federal holiday to take indirect swipes at President Donald Trump and push familiar Democratic narratives on race, voting, and history.
Biden Defends Juneteenth as Federal Holiday, Dismisses Critics
Speaking at an African Methodist Episcopal church in Galveston—where Union troops enforced emancipation in 1865—Biden criticized Americans who question whether Juneteenth should be a federal holiday. He painted the day as central to America’s “moral story,” despite growing concerns about federal spending and business closures linked to newly created holidays.
“Some people don’t want to remember the stain,” Biden said, calling slavery “America’s original sin” while repeating talking points about racial injustice and voter access.
Biden Almost Names Trump, Then Crosses Himself
In a moment that drew laughter from the audience, Biden referred to “this guy”—a thinly veiled jab at President Trump—before stopping short and making the Sign of the Cross. The crowd responded with applause, but critics saw it as yet another example of Biden politicizing a solemn occasion.
He also recalled his childhood in Delaware, claiming he frequently visited Wilmington’s Black community after Catholic Mass in Greenville. Conservatives have questioned the accuracy of such anecdotes, which often surface in election cycles.
Biden Mentions Military Base Renamings, Voter Laws
Biden appeared to criticize Trump again when referencing the decision to reverse certain military base name changes that were pushed under the Biden administration. However, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later clarified in congressional testimony that the revised base names no longer honor Confederate generals but were reassigned to other U.S. military heroes.
Biden also suggested that voter suppression is still widespread, even decades after the Civil Rights Act. “Stop those who try to make it more difficult to vote,” he said, urging attendees to register friends and family.
Trump Fires Back: “Too Many Holidays, Too Much Spending”
President Trump didn’t hold back. Speaking Thursday, he criticized the growing list of federal holidays pushed under Biden, saying the closures are draining the economy.
“This is costing American businesses billions,” Trump said. “Soon we’ll have a holiday for every working day of the year.”
Red-State Leaders Keep Offices Open
While the Biden administration continues to promote Juneteenth as a key national celebration, conservative governors like West Virginia’s Patrick Morrisey are taking a more measured approach. Morrisey issued a Juneteenth proclamation but chose to keep state offices open—balancing recognition with fiscal responsibility.
Bottom Line:
Biden’s Juneteenth message wasn’t just about history—it was about politics, power, and pushing a divisive agenda. As patriotic Americans reflect on the meaning of freedom, many are asking: Is this unity—or just more Washington theater?
