Melania Trump, the former First Lady, made a noteworthy public appearance, speaking at an immigrant naturalization ceremony at the National Archives on December 15, 2023. The event, celebrating Bill of Rights Day, took place in the National Archives Rotunda in Washington, D.C.
The ceremony featured 25 individuals from 25 different nations, including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, and the United Kingdom, taking the oath to become U.S. citizens. At 53 years old, Melania Trump, who is a naturalized citizen from Slovenia, joined Dr. Colleen Shogan, the Archivist of the United States, to address the audience.
This event is notable due to Melania Trump’s recent low public profile and the legal challenges involving her husband, former President Donald Trump, with the National Archives. The conflict began in March 2021 over Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents after his presidency, which escalated into a Justice Department inquiry and an FBI raid, leading to charges against him for alleged violations of the Espionage Act and obstruction of justice.
Melania Trump’s choice to participate in this ceremony, despite her husband’s legal troubles, represents her independent approach. Her office released a statement expressing her enthusiasm to share her story as a naturalized citizen and to partake in the ceremony honoring the new U.S. citizens.