President Donald Trump issued a White House proclamation Friday recognizing October as Down Syndrome Awareness Month, emphasizing the “sanctity and beauty of every human life” and framing the condition in explicitly theological terms.
“From the earliest days of our Nation’s Founding, America has been guided by the sacred truth that every child is created in the holy image and likeness of God with inherent dignity and worth,” the proclamation states.
“We celebrate the extraordinary individuals living with Down syndrome who bring joy, wonder, and meaning to the world — and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the families and caregivers who navigate the challenges and blessings of raising children with developmental disabilities with unconditional love.”
The proclamation cites Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data showing that about 5,000 babies — or one in every 775 births — are born annually in the United States with Down syndrome. It also notes that advancements in research, screening, and medical care have significantly improved quality of life and life expectancy for individuals with the condition.
Trump reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to “forging a culture, a government, and a Nation that upholds the dignity of life and respects the divine spark imprinted on every human soul.”
As previously reported by The Dallas Express in Are We Choosing Which Lives Deserve To Be Born? The Quiet Genocide, advances in prenatal screening have raised concerns among ethicists and disability advocates about the growing number of pregnancies terminated after a Down syndrome diagnosis.
That investigation found that termination rates following a Down syndrome diagnosis exceed 95% in some countries, such as Iceland and Denmark, and range between 60% and 90% in parts of the United States. Advocates warn that such practices risk creating a “quiet form of eugenics” that frames disability as something to be prevented rather than supported.
Trump’s proclamation contrasts with those global trends, underscoring a message of inclusion and inherent human dignity. It also highlights growing opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome to participate in education, employment, and community life.
“There are now more opportunities than ever before for independence, meaningful employment, and integration into classrooms and communities so that all individuals with Down Syndrome can enjoy full participation in American life,” the proclamation states.