Ohio GOP lawmakers seek to recognize ‘President Donald J. Trump Day’

Two Republican lawmakers are seeking to recognize June 14 in Ohio as “President Donald J. Trump Day.”

State Reps. Reggie Stoltzfus of Paris Twp. and Jon Cross of Kenton are planning to introduce a bill in the Ohio House of Representatives making this designation.

June 14 is Trump’s birthday. The date is already observed as Flag Day. 

“Former President Donald J. Trump was our 45th President of the United States and against great odds, accomplished many things that have led our nation to unparalleled prosperity,” the two wrote to fellow lawmakers in a co-sponsor request that was sent Friday and obtained by the Ohio Capital Journal.

The two said the bill would show the more than 3 million Ohioans who voted for Trump last November “that we as a legislature recognize the accomplishments of his administration, and that the Ohio House believes it is imperative we set aside a day to celebrate one of the greatest presidents in American history.”

“(Trump) personified the emotions of millions of Ohioans who for too long have felt marginalized by our government and the American political system,” the request concludes. “While the media tarnishes his achievements and his legacy, the legislation will help ensure that for one day each year the voices of millions of people from all corners of our state will be commemorated.”

Trump carried Ohio by an 8% margin over Joe Biden, though he lost the Electoral College and therefore the presidency. 

Dozens of Republicans in the Ohio legislature did not initially view Biden’s win as being legitimate. In December, a number of them — including Stoltzfus and Cross — signed a letter urging Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost to support a Texas lawsuit filed with the U.S. Supreme Court contesting the 2020 election results. 

Yost disagreed with the lawsuit’s premise to undermine the election results, though he filed a brief asking the court to rule generally on the constitutionality of election changes made by states that were the basis of the suit. 

As noted by Noah Blundo, a reporter for Hannah News Service, there is some precedent for honoring a former U.S. president in this way. The date Feb. 6 in Ohio is designated as “Ronald Reagan Day,” per an act of the 127th Ohio General Assembly.

Stoltzfus and Cross say they are taking co-sponsor requests until next Friday.