President Trump with with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in November, 2019 at the White House
White House Enforces Foreign Gag-Rule Even in Wake of Last Year’s Near-Unanimous Congressional Passage of Armenian Genocide Resolution
WASHINGTON—In the wake of last year’s near-unanimous recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the House and Senate, President Donald Trump has chosen to close out his first term in office – isolated and alone – as the last remaining American enforcer of Ankara’s gag-rule against honest U.S. remembrance of this crime, a move sharply condemned by the Armenian National Committee of America.
For four straight years, President Trump failed to properly condemn as ‘genocide’ the Ottoman Turkish government’s annihilation of millions of Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Syriacs, Arameans, Maronites and other Christians in his annual April 24th commemorative statement – despite having campaigned on a promise to stand up for persecuted Christians and other at-risk faith-based groups around the world.
“Armenian Genocide denial is a policy manufactured in Ankara, exported to America, and enforced in Washington by President Trump,” said Armenian National Committee of America ANCA Executive Director Aram Suren Hamparian. “Once again, President Trump copied and pasted the transparently euphemistic, patently offensive April 24th evasions issued by Barack Obama and his other predecessors – essentially isolating his Administration as the last major American co-conspirator in Turkey’s obstruction of justice for the Armenian Genocide.”
“Despite last year’s near-unanimous Congressional recognition of the Armenian Genocide, President Trump has, once again, granted Turkish President Erdogan – an openly anti-American dictator – a veto over honest U.S. remembrance of Turkey’s WWI-era genocide of millions of Armenians and other Christians.”
“Having promised an America First presidency, President Trump has pursued a Turkey First policy on the Armenian Genocide. Having pledged to protest the persecution of Christians abroad, he has enforced a foreign gag-rule against honest remembrance of this crime against millions of defenseless Christian martyrs. Having vowed to restore U.S. leadership, he has, instead, outsourced American human rights policy to a foreign dictator.”
The President’s full statement is provided below.
Statement by the President on Armenian Remembrance Day
Today, we join the global community in memorializing the lives lost during the Meds Yeghern, one of the worst mass atrocities of the 20th century. Beginning in 1915, 1 and a half million Armenians were deported, massacred, or marched to their deaths in the final years of the Ottoman Empire. On this day of remembrance, we pay respect to those who suffered and lost their lives, while also renewing our commitment to fostering a more humane and peaceful world.
Every year on April 24, we reflect on the strong and enduring ties between the American and Armenian peoples. We are proud of the founders of the American Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief, a ground-breaking effort established in 1915 that provided crucial humanitarian support to Armenian refugees, and grateful for the thousands of Americans who contributed or volunteered to help Armenians expelled from their homes.
On this day, we bear witness to the strength and resiliency of the Armenian people in the face of tragedy. We are fortunate that so many Armenians have brought their rich culture to our shores and contributed so much to our country, including decorated soldiers, celebrated entertainers, renowned architects, and successful businesspeople.
We welcome efforts by the Armenians and Turks to acknowledge and reckon with their painful history. On this day, we believe it is our obligation to remember those who suffered and perished and reaffirm our commitment to protecting vulnerable religious and ethnic minorities around the world.
And NOW – let’s hear from the Armenians in the US who voted for him! Another gulible group who has fallen for his lies and voted against their own best interest.
TODAY IS APRIL 24TH WE REMEMBER THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE A HORRIBLE INHUMAN ACT. TRUMP BY NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IS GOINING AGAINST THE HOUSE AND SENATE WHICH HAVE ACCEPTED THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE SO HE HIS GOING AGAINST THE TRUTH. BUT HE SHOULD LEARN FROM HISTORY THAT THE TRUTH WILL NEVER BE COVERED UP. SO I TELL MY PRESIDENT THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND. TURKEY WILL ALWAYS BE GUILTY OF MURDERING INNOCENT ARMENIAN BABIES,CHILDREN,WOMEN AND MEN IN THE MOST HORRIBLE BARBARIC WAYS. WE SHALL NEVER,NEVER FORGET
I do not agree with your headline. Judge President Trump by his actions not his words.
The G word is not used but the phrases noted are part of the definition /description of genocide–deported, marched to death, expelled from home..use of the “word” takes us no further…
“…Beginning in 1915, 1 and a half million Armenians were deported, massacred, or marched to their deaths in the final years of the Ottoman Empire…….grateful for Americans who contributed or volunteered to help Armenians expelled from their homes…”
It will be good to see him go. What do you expect from a merchant? Obama promised but later denied.
Interesting:
1) you point out Trump, for 4 years didn’t use the term Genocide, Bi put omit the reality that Obama failed for 8 years after leading you to believe he would both times he ran for election. Why the omission?
2) you called America the last enforcer of the Turk gag rule but omitted Israel’s refusal to label it Genocide. Why the omission.
Be objective in your comments.
Not surprised Dump has $$$ invested in Turkey.So he is protecting his money more than respecting Human rights and JUSTICE !
Most genocides were organized by different Governments: In Cambodja by the Khmer Rouge Government against their people. In Ruanda by the Hutu Government against the Tutsi people. In Sudan by the North Sudan Government against Darfur people. In Namibia by the German Government against Herrero and Nama people. In Nigeria The Northern Government against the Biafra’s Ibo. In Germany the Nazi Government against the Jews. And so on.
I think that the only genocide (completely ethnic cleaning)made by a WHOLE STATE, organized by three different governments was that of the Armenians, started in 1894 and ended in 1923. Three Governments: One of the Sultan Abdul Hamid II, one of the Young Turks and one of Republic of Turkey founded by Musta Kemal.
So when Obama did the same thing why wasn’t it reported like this?
Meds Yeghern, he is full of BS.
Any Armenian voting for Trump should not consider himself an Armenian. Trump is bad business for Armenians and the Genocide.
Come November, vote for vote for anyone but Trump
Barab dagar, barab khosk…
Did anyone expect anything different?
Trumps not that smart to understand any of this…
We had a Republican Congress that voted successfully for Armenian Genocide recognition when Bill Clinton was President and the Bill Clinton White House killed it. No one wrote this same tenor of articles. No one suggested not voting for Mr Clinton. There really is a political party double standard in this country. In this case, it’s a mistake. 105 years – and a lot of Presidents have come and gone and here we sit.
The Armenian people have long been between a political rock and a hard place. A position they have never been able to get out of.
I personally take comfort in the fact that God knows what happened and it’s His justice that will prevail.