Bill of Rights Day, 2025
This presidential action, issued on December 15, 2025, proclaims that date as Bill of Rights Day, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence and celebrating the ratification of the Bill of Rights.
The President recounts the historical context provided by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, emphasizing that these core amendments secure fundamental freedoms like speech, arms possession, due process, and protection against cruel punishment.
The proclamation reaffirms a commitment to upholding constitutional heritage, restoring the rule of law, and preserving a free, self-governing Republic for future generations, calling upon the American people and educators to observe the day with appropriate activities.
Arguments For
Emphasizing the constitutional importance of the Bill of Rights reinforces the foundational principles of American governance, such as sovereignty, justice, and self-determination.
Commemorating Bill of Rights Day encourages civic education and reminds citizens of their inherent freedoms and due process protections.
Presidential proclamation serves as a formal recognition of historical milestones (like the 250th anniversary of independence) and reaffirms commitment to constitutional values.
Highlighting the Administration's efforts to 'restore the rule of law' and fight 'left-wing lawfare' appeals to constituencies prioritizing strict adherence to constitutional constraints against perceived governmental overreach.
Arguments Against
Setting future-dated proclamations (e.g., December 15, 2025) without accompanying legislative or executive action may be viewed as symbolic gesture without immediate policy impact.
The inclusion of overtly political rhetoric regarding 'cleaning up corrupt bureaucracies and draining the swamp' distracts from the neutral, historical purpose of commemorating the Bill of Rights.
Critics might argue that the proclamation selectively emphasizes certain rights or historical interpretations over others, potentially politicizing a foundational document.
The narrative framing of the Bill of Rights (e.g., referencing opposition to tyranny) could be interpreted by some as an implicit criticism of current governmental or legislative actions.
Two hundred and fifty years ago, our Nation was conceived in liberty, our freedom was wrested from the hands of tyranny, and our people courageously united as one Nation under God, committed to the immortal principles of sovereignty, justice, and self-determination. Today, we proudly celebrate the ratification of our Bill of Rights — the revolutionary document that enshrines in law the principles of freedom, human dignity, and due process upon which the United States was founded. On this Bill of Rights Day, we proudly carry forth the bold vision of our Founding Fathers. We recommit to the timeless freedoms enshrined in the Bill of Rights, and we vow to always preserve, protect, and defend our God-given rights, our glorious American heritage, and our constitutional way of life.
The United States was founded 250 years ago on principles of liberty, sovereignty, justice, and self-determination after a struggle against tyranny.
This statement proudly marks the ratification of the Bill of Rights, which formally establishes freedoms, human dignity, and due process.
The President renews a vow to defend these rights, the American heritage, and the constitutional way of life established by the Founding Fathers.
Following the Revolutionary War, the framers of our Constitution set aside 10 core protections from government authority that would ultimately become known as the “Bill of Rights.” After decades of oppression under British rule, James Madison — the Father of the Constitution — came to understand that it was necessary to clearly define what freedoms the law protected, setting the stage for the triumph of true self-government. Though Madison was once concerned that a written bill of rights would not succeed in fending off forces of tyranny and oppression, his friend Thomas Jefferson later convinced him: “A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no just government should refuse or rest on inference.”
The Bill of Rights consists of ten fundamental protections against government power, established after the Revolutionary War.
James Madison, the Constitution's author, determined that explicitly defining protected freedoms was crucial for achieving genuine self-government, contrasting the previous experience of British oppression.
Thomas Jefferson persuaded Madison that these rights should be written down clearly, as they are entitlements citizens possess against any government, needing no interpretation by authority.
In 1789, the First United States Congress drafted the first 10 amendments to the Constitution and later sent them to the States to ratify. In doing so, the States forever secured a series of freedoms that no tyrant could ever infringe — including the rights to speak and worship freely, to keep and bear arms, to resist unlawful arrest and seizure of private property, to be assured of a quick and fair trial, and to be protected against cruel and unusual punishment — and affirmed that the States hold all powers not granted to the Federal Government.
The First U.S. Congress created the initial ten amendments in 1789 and submitted them for ratification by the States.
This process permanently guaranteed fundamental liberties against infringement by any tyrannical force.
These secured freedoms include rights to free speech and religion, owning weapons, protection from illegal searches and seizures of property, certainty of a prompt trial, and immunity from cruel and unusual punishment.
Furthermore, this secured the principle that powers not explicitly given to the Federal Government remain with the individual States.
More than two centuries later, these foundational legal principles remain the lifeblood of our Republic and continue to stand at the heart of our laws, our system of government, and our livelihood. Our framers understood that codifying our rights in ink alone would not be sufficient and that our rights depended on the endurance of bedrock American principles like the separation of powers, due process, checks and balances, and States’ rights. Above all, however, they knew that our rights would forever rely on a good and moral citizenry committed to the virtues that gave rise to our Republic and have sustained our liberty through victory and defeat, triumphs and setbacks, and times of peace and war since July 4, 1776.
These core legal principles remain vital to the American Republic today, underpinning the nation's laws, government structure, and daily life. The framers recognized that merely writing rights down was insufficient; their endurance required adherence to fundamental concepts like the separation of government powers, due process, checks and balances, and reserved powers for the States.
Ultimately, the protection of these rights depends on a virtuous and moral populace dedicated to the principles that established the Republic and sustained its liberty through all periods since 1776.
Every day, my Administration is acting with strength and conviction to guard these freedoms, the meaning of American citizenship, and our constitutional heritage. We are restoring the rule of law, fighting back against left-wing lawfare, cleaning up our corrupt bureaucracies and draining the swamp, and forever ensuring that the American people do not answer to Washington, Washington answers to the American people.
The Administration asserts that it acts daily with resolve to protect these freedoms, the definition of American citizenship, and the nation's constitutional legacy.
Actions cited include working to re-establish the rule of law, opposing what the text labels 'left-wing lawfare,' reforming bureaucratic agencies—referred to as 'draining the swamp'—and ensuring government accountability, where Washington serves the American public rather than the reverse.
As we approach 250 glorious years of American independence next year, we proudly carry forward the legacy forged by our Founders in the crucible of revolution. We renew our commitment to always upholding the common good and the dignity of the human person — and above all, we pledge to preserve the promise of a proud, free, self-governing Republic for ourselves and our posterity.
Looking ahead to the 250th anniversary of American independence next year, the President affirms the continuation of the legacy created by the Founders during the Revolution.
This section renews the pledge to support the common good and human dignity.
The primary dedication remains preserving the ideal of a proud, free, self-governing Republic for current and future generations.
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 December 15, 2025, as Bill of Rights Day. I call upon the people of the United States, especially teachers, educators, and school administrators, to mark this observance with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
Exercising authority granted by the Constitution and U.S. laws, President Donald J. Trump officially proclaims December 15, 2025, as Bill of Rights Day.
The President officially requests that all U.S. citizens, particularly those in education professions, recognize this date with suitable ceremonies and programs.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of December, 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.
This clause formally concludes the document, indicating that the President signed the proclamation on December 15, 2025, which corresponds to the 250th year since the founding of the United States of America.
class="has-text-align-left"> DONALD J. TRUMP
This signature line officially attributes the proclamation to Donald J. Trump, the President of the United States.
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