When President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in, he will do so facing a bust of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Capitol’s rotunda on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This coincides with the federal holiday commemorating King’s legacy, and it has sparked mixed reactions from civil rights advocates.
Some critics view the contrast as disquieting, as King’s vision of non-violent social revolution is often at odds with Trump’s rhetoric and stances on race and civil rights. However, many leaders, including King’s family, see the juxtaposition as an opportunity to refocus efforts on advancing civil rights in a new political era.
King’s daughter, the Rev. Bernice King, believes that Trump’s inauguration on Martin Luther King Jr. Day allows for a poignant contrast, comparing it to a picture of two paths: “Is this the way you want to go – or is this the way you want to go?”
Civil rights group leaders, including the National Urban League’s Marc Morial and the NAACP’s Derrick Johnson, expressed concerns about Trump’s policies and values, with Morial calling it a “contradiction of values.” Morial and Johnson plan to honor King’s legacy through speeches and strategy sessions on how to respond to the incoming administration’s agenda.
King’s son, Martin Luther King III, while campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris, said she embodied his father’s legacy and urged supporters to stay motivated, emphasizing that “our mission doesn’t change – to make democracy work for all, to ensure equal protection under the law.”
As the nation marks the holiday, many will engage in demonstrations, vigils, and community service events to honor King’s legacy and prepare for what they consider an adversarial administration. Some groups are reflecting on parallels with the Civil Rights Movement, but also differences, including the understanding that “there has to be opportunity for everyone.”
King himself had expressed concerns about the legal protections he fought for not being followed by greater anti-discrimination efforts or social programs, and advocated for a deeper understanding and solidarity between Black and white Americans.
