On Thursday, President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act, which included legislation recognizing the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. President Trump had expressed support for federal recognition of the tribe during his campaign last year.

While the tribe was recognized by the state of North Carolina, they originally petitioned Congress for acknowledgement in 1888. Though Congress eventually acknowledged the Lumbee as a tribe in 1956, they had refused to give the tribe typical federal benefits, which include education, healthcare, and agricultural support. At 60,000 members, it is the largest tribe east of the Mississippi River.