Thanksgiving Day, 2025
The document is a Presidential Proclamation issued by Donald J. Trump, designating Thursday, November 27, 2025, as a National Day of Thanksgiving.
It invokes historical precedents set by Presidents Washington and Lincoln to establish a tradition of national gratitude, claims that God has blessed the nation with strong economic recovery and restored sovereignty, and encourages all Americans to gather in homes and places of worship to offer thanks for the nation's many blessings as it approaches its 250th anniversary of independence.
Arguments For
Upholding a long-standing American tradition of recognizing a national day of thanksgiving, tracing lineage back to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Encouraging national unity and reflection on blessings bestowed upon the nation, fostering a shared sense of gratitude and resilience.
Connecting the current administration's policy achievements (e.g., economic recovery, restored sovereignty) with divine providence, framing them as national blessings worthy of thanks.
Invoking historical continuity by marking the 250th anniversary of American independence while reaffirming foundational American values of faith and fortitude.
Arguments Against
The focus on specific political achievements and economic conditions detracts from the general spirit of non-partisan gratitude often associated with this proclamation.
The inclusion of overtly political language alongside a traditional observance may politicize a holiday historically meant to unite diverse groups.
The designation relies heavily on religious language ("Almighty God"), which some citizens may find isolating in a secular government context.
The directive to gather relies on a specific date (November 27, 2025) which may not align with the standard observance date determined post-establishment, requiring specific historical recall.
Presidential Actions
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
In 1789, just years after America’s triumph over tyranny in the Revolutionary War, President George Washington established the first National Day of Thanksgiving, declaring “the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” Decades later, in the midst of the bloody Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln implored the Nation to join in unity for “a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” In every generation since, this spirit of reverence, trust, and gratitude has preserved our way of life and made America the strongest, greatest, and most resilient Nation the world has ever known.
From the pilgrims who settled our continent and the patriots who won our independence on the battlefield to the pioneers who tamed the west and the warriors who have preserved our freedom in distant lands, the spirit of gratitude and grit embodied by those who celebrated the first Thanksgiving more than 400 years ago have stood at the very heart of what it means to be an American.
This year, God has bestowed abundant blessings all across our land and indeed the entire world. As we give thanks to Him, we continue to advance our Nation through strong leadership and commonsense policy. As a result, the American economy is roaring back, we are making progress on lowering the cost of living, a new era of peace is sweeping around the world, our sovereignty is being swiftly restored, and the American spirit is coming back greater and more powerful than ever before.
As we prepare to celebrate 250 glorious years of American independence, this Thanksgiving, we summon the faith, resolve, and unflinching fortitude of the giants of American history who came before us. We vow to build a future that echoes their sacrifice. Above all, we offer our endless gratitude to Almighty God for His love, grace, and infinite blessings.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 27, 2025, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans to gather, in homes and places of worship, to offer a prayer of thanks to God for our many blessings.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
The post Thanksgiving Day, 2025 appeared first on The White House.
The beginning of the document uses HTML formatting to display the official header indicating these are "Presidential Actions," along with navigation elements for searching and browsing different types of presidential documents, such as Executive Orders and Proclamations.
This section establishes the official context and categorization of the subsequent text on the White House webpage.
The text begins by stating it is issued "BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" followed by the heading "A PROCLAMATION," signaling the formal nature of the declaration.
George Washington established the first National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789, calling on nations to acknowledge God.
Later, Abraham Lincoln called for a similar day during the Civil War.
The proclamation asserts that this tradition of reverence, trust, and gratitude protects the American way of life and ensures national resilience.
This year, the document states that God has granted abundant blessings, citing current positive national conditions, including a strong economy, progress on lowering the cost of living, global peace, restored sovereignty, and a renewed American spirit.
These achievements are framed as reasons for thanksgiving.
As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary of independence, the proclamation calls upon Americans to embody the faith and resolve of historical figures and vow to build a future reflecting their sacrifice. It concludes by offering gratitude to God for blessings.
President Donald J. Trump officially proclaims Thursday, November 27, 2025, as a National Day of Thanksgiving.
Americans are encouraged to gather in homes and places of worship to pray and give thanks to God for their blessings.
The proclamation is formally signed and dated November 25, 2025, marking the 250th year of U.S. Independence.
Related
Day of Celebration in Honor of the Life of Henry Clay, 2026
* The President declared April 12, 2026, as a Day of Celebration honoring Henry Clay and directed the redesignation of Secretary of State Room 208 in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building as the Henry Clay Room.
Read MoreSEQUESTRATION ORDER FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027 PURSUANT TO SECTION 251A OF THE BALANCED BUDGETAND EMERGENCY DEFICIT CONTROL ACT, AS AMENDED
* The President ordered mandatory sequestration reductions for fiscal year 2027 direct spending accounts, effective October 1, 2026, based on calculations provided by the Office of Management and Budget.
Read MoreUrgent National Action to Save College Sports
The President issued an executive order establishing federal review mechanisms, definitions, and encouraged governing bodies to adopt new rules for college athletics—focusing on eligibility, transfers, and NIL payments—to protect the financial stability of universities and preserve non-revenue-generating sports, effective August 1, 2026.
Read MoreAdjusting Imports of Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceutical Ingredients into the United States
* The President imposed a 100% <em>ad valorem</em> tariff on specified imported patented pharmaceuticals and APIs under Section 232 authority, while setting lower tariff rates for companies committing to domestic onshoring and directing negotiation efforts to secure supply chains.
Read More