Historians responsible for impartial portrayals of United States foreign affairs dismissed by Trump
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Hey there! Let's talk about the axing of a behind-the-scenes history squad that's known as the State Department Historical Advisory Committee (HAC). It's a group of history buffs from outside the government who keep tabs on the State Department historians' tricky task of unearthing old foreign policy secrets. They publish colorful tomes filled with diplomatic cables, meeting minutes, letters, and more. Sometimes, these documents are as dry as a bone, but other times, they're as juicy as a tabloid. James Goldgeier, a history professor, was part of this club in 2020 during the first Trump administration. He told me how these historians do their thing.
Goldgeier: They dig through classified documents from the National Security Council, the State Department, the Defense Department, and even the CIA. They then piece together these collections and send them to the appropriate agencies for declassification. Our job as the HAC is to help when bottlenecks occur or provide advice if a document can't be included because it's not getting declassified, and it affects the overall accuracy and reliability we're committed to maintaining.
INSKEEP: How often have these history books helped America's people learn something important about our country's past?
Goldgeier: One crucial part of this since the law's enactment in 1991 has been the U.S. government's public admittance of historical covert actions. For example, documents exposing the U.S. role in the overthrow of Chilean leader Salvador Allende in 1973. These books are a way to acknowledge such actions, which, for a democracy, is crucial for transparency and accountability.
INSKEEP: I can see why someone might find your work controversial. They might see it as exposing things that paint the U.S. in a bad light.
Goldgeier: Not at all. I think it's beneficial for the U.S. to publish these documents so that people know the truth. I see it as a way to combat conspiracy theories and misinformation.
INSKEEP: How'd you get booted off the committee?
Goldgeier: On April 30, 2021, we received an email from the White House liaison to the State Department, informing us that, on behalf of President Donald J. Trump, our services had been terminated immediate effect.
INSKEEP: Any idea why you were fired?
Goldgeier: Not a clue. By law, this committee is meant to exist. Congress mandated the existence of this committee and the work it does.
INSKEEP: Despite the lack of reasons given, we can't help but notice the Trump admin's opinions about history. One of the president's executive orders called "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History" argues that historical revisionism tarnishes the nation's legacy of advancing liberty, individual rights, and human happiness, claiming it's steeped in racism, sexism, and oppressiveness, or breeds a sense of national shame. What are your thoughts on that?
Goldgeier: I think it's essential for us to learn as much as possible about our history, even when it doesn't paint us in a favorable light. Ignoring these issues doesn't help us move forward as a nation.
INSKEEP: That's James Goldgeier, a professor at American University. He was a member of the State Department's HAC during the first Trump administration and was let go by the second. He's also married to NPR's Kathy Goldgeier, the director of collaborative journalism. We reached out to the State Department, and a senior official told us, "there is a plan in place to maintain the committee." But as of now, the HAC remains disbanded, and it's uncertain if it will be reinstated. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
The disbandment of the State Department Historical Advisory Committee (HAC), a group that assists in maintaining historical accuracy and transparency through the declassification of government documents, has raised concerns within the realm of policy-and-legislation and politics. This committee's work, which includes publishing books revealing historical covert actions, is crucial for general-news as it promotes transparency and accountability in government.
