We strongly condemn President Donald Trump’s shameful backsliding on U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide, as reflected in his refusal, under pressure from Turkey, to even mention the term “Armenian Genocide” in the White House’s annual statement on April 24. This is stated in a statement distributed by the Armenian National Council of America (ANCA).
“President Trump’s backsliding on U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide represents a shameful capitulation to Turkish threats – a shameful retreat by our country (the U.S. – ed.) from its responsibility to prevent the continued genocidal aggression of Azerbaijan and Turkey against Christian Armenians,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Ghambaryan.
“In the wake of Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of the indigenous Christian Armenian population of Artsakh and its ongoing violence against Armenian captives, destruction of Armenian Christian heritage, and occupation of sovereign Armenia, President Trump has an obligation not only to honestly and truthfully recognize the Armenian Genocide of 1915, but also to prevent Turkey and Azerbaijan from continuing it,” Ghambaryan said.
During his 2024 presidential campaign, President Trump pledged on social media to “restore peace to the South Caucasus and stop the violence and ethnic cleansing.” His refusal to use the word “genocide” under foreign pressure now directly contradicts that promise.
During his first term, Trump refused to recognize the Armenian Genocide, and the United States provided unprecedented military assistance to Azerbaijan when the latter launched a genocidal assault on the Armenian population of Artsakh. President Trump’s non-recognition contradicts the recognition of the United States by the White House, Congress, and all 50 states,” the statement said.