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President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he signed a proclamation paying homage to the 250th anniversary of Founding Father Patrick Henry’s famous speech, in which he made an impassioned cry for the cause of liberty.
During remarks delivered at a special signing ceremony for an executive order eliminating the federal Department of Education, Trump honored the historic words of Henry, who delivered his speech on March 23, 1775.
“I just want to announce that I signed a proclamation a few moments ago honoring the 250th anniversary of Patrick Henry’s famous speech to the Second Virginia Convention in which he declared…’GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH!’” President Trump said.
“Has anyone heard the phrase? I think most of you have,” he quipped.
Henry was a great orator who helped create the First Continental Congress and even led the Virginia militia during the Revolutionary War. He famously concluded his speech on the issue of early liberty with these immortal words:
“Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace – but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
President Trump’s admiration for the staunch anti-Federalist has been longstanding. While campaigning for re-election in 2024, Trump spoke about Henry’s famous speech about freedom and liberty while delivering remarks at the Libertarian Convention.
“We live by the words of the great American patriot Patrick Henry: ‘Give me LIBERTY or give me DEATH!” he said.
At that time, he warned America that its decision between presidential candidates was a choice between liberty and tyranny.
“My mission is to liberate our nation from these fascist frauds and to rescue our democracy, to restore our republic, and to evict Crooked Joe Biden so that America can be a free nation once again!” he declared.
