President Donald Trump, who has long professed his “love” for the Lumbee people, signed the National Defense Authorization Act on Dec. 18. Tucked into that defense funding bill was the Lumbee Fairness Act, making the Lumbee the 575th recognized tribe in the United States. The tribe instantly became one of the nation’s largest. It took the Lumbee more than 30 attempts to earn federal recognition, as its members have fought allegations from other tribes that they have not proved their historical lineage and continuous government.