Democrat Rep. Ayanna Pressley used Columbus Day to launch a political attack on Republicans and the holiday itself, proclaiming that “we are all on stolen land” while accusing conservatives of trying to “whitewash American history.”
Rather than recognize the federally designated Columbus Day, the progressive Massachusetts Democrat opted to celebrate “Indigenous Peoples Day,” a symbolic substitute that remains unofficial at the federal level.
“Happy Indigenous People’s Day! We are all on stolen land,” Pressley wrote in a social media post.
“And while Republicans try to whitewash American history, we acknowledge our country’s role in inflicting trauma on our Indigenous neighbors.”
She also claimed that Democrats would continue to highlight Indigenous voices and “build a more just, equitable future.”
Happy Indigenous People’s Day!
We are all on stolen land.
And while Republicans try to whitewash American history, we acknowledge our country’s role in inflicting trauma on our Indigenous neighbors.
We'll keep celebrating their contributions, centering Native voices in our…
— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) October 13, 2025
The timing and tone of her remarks reignited the long-running debate over Columbus Day, which commemorates Italian explorer Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas.
The left has increasingly sought to replace the holiday with one honoring Native Americans, while President Donald Trump has pledged to defend what he calls a vital part of the nation’s cultural fabric.
Indigenous Peoples Day was first formally recognized by former President Joe Biden in 2021, when he issued a proclamation lauding Native Americans’ “resilience” and “inherent sovereignty.”
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Biden’s statement also claimed that America had failed to live up to its founding ideals, particularly toward Indigenous communities.
“That is especially true when it comes to upholding the rights and dignity of the Indigenous people who were here long before colonization of the Americas began,” the proclamation read.
President Trump, however, has rejected the idea of pairing or replacing Columbus Day with an alternative observance.
In April, he vowed to “restore Columbus Day to its glory” and accused Democrats of trying to cancel one of the nation’s oldest traditions.
“I’m bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “The Democrats did everything possible to destroy Christopher Columbus, his reputation, and all of the Italians that love him so much.”
He later followed through on that promise, signing an official proclamation to “reclaim” what he described as the explorer’s “extraordinary legacy of faith, courage, perseverance, and virtue.”
Trump blasted what he called the “vicious and merciless campaign” to defame Columbus and erase his contributions to Western civilization.
Trump: We’re calling it Columbus Day.@POTUS “Columbus Day, we’re back, Italians.
We love the Italians.” pic.twitter.com/J5jJnQmH2f
— jay plemons (@jayplemons) October 9, 2025
After inking the proclamation, the president told supporters, “We’re calling it Columbus Day. We’re back, Italians. We love the Italians.”
The move drew praise from Republican lawmakers, including New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, who declared that New Yorkers “love Columbus Day,” and Rep. Mike Lawler, an Italian American, who posted “Viva Italia!” while applauding Trump’s defense of the holiday.
The Trump administration’s renewed celebration of Columbus Day has also sparked legislative action.
A new GOP proposal in the House would withhold federal funds from cities or states that replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day.
Viva Italia! As a proud Italian-American, I fully support protecting Columbus Day and celebrating the rich history and contributions of Italian-Americans.
Happy Columbus Day! https://t.co/TLBw1x9x75
— Mike Lawler (@lawler4ny) October 9, 2025
Rep. Michael Rulli (R-OH), who introduced the measure, said the bill is designed to preserve the cultural heritage of Italian Americans nationwide.
“This is about every son and daughter of Italy, every Knights of Columbus, every pasta dinner on Sunday, and every communion—everything that makes our culture who we are, from Philadelphia to San Francisco,” Rulli said in an interview.
“Every Little Italy neighborhood of this country celebrates Christopher Columbus. It’s so much more than the man. It’s the people.”
Rulli’s legislation would reaffirm Columbus Day as a federal holiday while blocking funding for jurisdictions that attempt to replace it.
He argued that the measure protects more than just a single commemoration, it preserves a tradition that arose out of tragedy.
He noted that Columbus Day became a federal holiday in 1892, one year after a mob in New Orleans lynched 11 Italian immigrants.
“Columbus Day was created to honor Italian Americans who suffered discrimination and violence,” Rulli said, explaining that his bill is about respect, not erasure.
While he acknowledged the importance of Native American history, he insisted that both groups deserve their own recognition.
“The Native Americans are some of the most amazing, dynamic cultural people that make up the fabric of America. But they need their own special day,” he said. “I would be willing to do that, but not this day.”
Rulli also faulted the Biden administration for confusing the issue by proclaiming both holidays on the same date, arguing that the move diluted each celebration’s meaning.
He praised President Trump for restoring clarity and pride to Columbus Day. “I don’t care what party you’re in,” he said.
“If you come from Italian American descent, you love what President Trump did. It was a wonderful olive branch to all Italian Americans.”
He reiterated that his legislation was not intended to insult Indigenous Americans.
“By no means, no way, shape or form, is this bill meant to offend any of the indigenous people. They deserve their own day. We will get them their own day, but not Columbus Day,” Rulli stated. “This has already been embedded in our fabric for 130 years.”
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