by Ruby Annas

Fri, January 24th 2025 at 11:24 PM

President Donald Trump recommends full federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. (WLOS)

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — President Donald Trump recommends full federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.

It is the largest tribe east of the Mississippi River.

“I love the Lumbee Tribe. This is the first big step, right?” said Trump. “Yeah, they were with me all the way. They’re great.”

President Eisenhower granted recognition in 1956 but denied the tribe federal benefits.

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The memorandum signed today orders the secretary of the interior to come up with a plan to do so through legislation or other mechanisms.

There have been several attempts in Congress over the years to give the tribe full federal recognition.

The Lumbee claim to be descendants of several tribal groups.

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Other tribes have vehemently opposed federal recognition of the Lumbee.

The Cherokee say the Lumbee’s ancestry is dubious and cannot be traced, and granting federal benefits to an additional 50-plus-thousand individuals would significantly impact the spread of resources.