Former first lady Melania Trump gave a speech Friday during a naturalization ceremony at the National Archives, as her husband faces criminal charges for withholding presidential documents from the agency.
The Slovenian-born former model is only the second foreign-born first lady (after Louisa, the London wife of former President John Quincy Adams) and the only one to become a naturalized U.S. citizen, after immigrating to New York City. York on a worker visa in 1996.
“How fortunate to be with the naturalized people and their families as they recite the Pledge of Allegiance and become Americans before the founding documents of our great nation,” Melania said in her speech.
The Archives appearance comes six months after former President Donald Trump was indicted on 37 counts for allegedly withholding sensitive national security documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate after leaving office.
The accusation came after a lengthy exchange between Trump, 77, and the National Archives, which had repeatedly asked the former president to return hundreds of documents starting in May 2021.
Trump, along with his valet Walt Nauta, reviewed the boxes containing the confidential files and turned some over, but the Archives ultimately referred the matter to the Justice Department after he failed to fully comply.
In January 2022, the 77-year-old former president sent 15 boxes of records to the National Archives, including 69 documents marked confidential, 98 marked secret and 30 marked top secret.
Former first lady Melania Trump welcomed the new citizens in a ceremony at the National Archives. AFP via Getty Images Former first lady Melania Trump departs after welcoming newly sworn-in U.S. citizens at the National Archives naturalization ceremony. AP
But hundreds more documents were still in Trump’s possession.
The former president lied to his lawyers and federal authorities when they subpoenaed him to hand over the documents, the indictment alleges, ordering Nauta to hide boxes in different rooms at the Palm Beach, Florida, resort.
On August 8, 2022, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago and seized the remaining classified documents.
Former first lady Melania Trump said that being a citizen means “protecting our freedom.” AFP via Getty Images Former first lady Melania Trump along with Judge Elizabeth Gunn (left) and United States Archivist Colleen Shogan (right) pose for photographs with newly sworn citizens. AFP via Getty Images
Nauta was also charged with accessory to conspiracy, along with a property manager who was allegedly told to delete security camera footage of his efforts to hide the materials from authorities.
Since then, Trump has also received another federal indictment for attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Washington, DC.
The Trump documents trial is scheduled to begin on May 20, 2024, despite his team’s efforts to postpone it until after next November’s presidential election.
Former US first lady Melania Trump speaks during a naturalization ceremony at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, on December 15, 2023. AFP via Getty Images
The 45th president remains the favorite for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, leading the field by more than 47 percentage points, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average.
Friday’s ceremony marked a rare public display for the former first lady, who has said she supports her husband’s campaign but has not yet been on the road.
Melania, 53, also attended a memorial service for former first lady Rosalynn Carter last month in Atlanta.
The former first lady said Friday that becoming a U.S. citizen comes with great responsibility.
From left, Judge Elizabeth Gunn and former first lady Melania Trump welcome newly sworn-in U.S. citizens as the National Archives holds a naturalization ceremony with 25 people from 25 countries, in Washington, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. AP
“It means actively participating in the democratic process and protecting our freedom,” he told attendees. “It is a life-changing experience that requires time, determination and sometimes even tremendous strength.”
In his latest campaign for the White House, Trump promised to return to hardline immigration policies if he wins the 2024 election.
Among his proposals, Trump wants to revive and expand his controversial travel ban, which initially targeted seven Muslim-majority countries, start a new “ideological test” for all immigrants and end the constitutional right to birthright citizenship by signing of an executive order on its first day. in the office.
The former first lady is also an immigrant. AP
That would only allow children with at least one U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident parent to be eligible for a passport, Social Security number and other benefits.
At Friday’s ceremony, 25 people from 25 countries were sworn in as new American citizens, surrounded by founding documents, including the Constitution.
With mail cables.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn