The Democratic National Committee deleted a tweet that accused President Trump of “glorifying white supremacy” with his forthcoming visit to Mount Rushmore over Independence Day weekend.
The DNC tweeted an article from the Guardian on Monday that detailed some of the history of the Black Hills region of South Dakota, including information about the disputed land that includes Mount Rushmore. Leaders from the Sioux tribe believe the land belongs to them, and some have even called for the carving of the four presidents to be removed. The DNC echoed these sentiments in its tweet.
“Trump has disrespected Native communities time and again. He’s attempted to limit their voting rights and blocked critical pandemic relief. Now he’s holding a rally glorifying white supremacy at Mount Rushmore — a region once sacred to tribal communities,” the DNC tweeted before removing the post.
Monuments honoring presidents and other historical figures have been under scrutiny since the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who died after an officer knelt on his neck. Protesters have called for an end to police brutality and racial injustice. Several statues honoring people such as Presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Abraham Lincoln have been vandalized or toppled alongside statues honoring Confederate soldiers or slave traders.
Republican South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has made it clear that she has no intention of allowing anyone to remove the monument. Trump is slated to join Noem and many others at Mount Rushmore for its first fireworks display in decades on July 3.
