Martin Luther King III on Trump's inauguration, MLK Day, and the need for a return of civility
For only the second time since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established as a federal holiday, it coincided with a presidential inauguration. The last occurrence was in 1997, when President Bill Clinton was sworn in for his second term. On this historic day, Martin Luther King III, son of the iconic civil rights leader, shared his thoughts with CBS News about the state of the nation and the enduring lessons of his father’s legacy.
?
Speaking on the morning of President-elect Donald Trump’s second inauguration, King III emphasized the importance of unity and civil discourse, even in an era marked by deep political divides.?
?
“We’ve elected President Trump again, and now the pressing question is, how do we move forward with civility?” King said. “Historically, we’ve struggled with maintaining civility, especially during periods of great change and division.” He drew parallels to the challenges faced by his parents, Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, who advocated for progress despite the hostility and resistance they encountered.