Trump leaves after participating in a Small Business Summit in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC. (May 4, 2026)
Trump urges Jewish Americans to observe “national Sabbath”
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In a proclamation marking Jewish American Heritage Month 2026, US President Donald Trump called on Jewish Americans to observe a “national Sabbath” from sundown on Friday, May 15, through nightfall on Saturday, May 16, aligning with with nationwide commemorations of the United States’ 250th anniversary of independence.
“In special honor of 250 glorious years of American independence and on the weekend of Rededicate 250 — a national jubilee of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving — Jewish Americans are encouraged to observe a national Sabbath,” the White House document states.
This marks a notable first in American history, with a sitting president explicitly encouraging a national observance tied to the Jewish Sabbath in recognition of the country’s milestone anniversary.
Critics and observers have pointed out the unusual nature of a presidential call for a faith-specific observance on a national scale.
