Trump's Seven Decisions Signal Intent to Alter American Historical Landscape
In his early years in office, President Donald Trump enacted numerous executive actions aimed at reshaping the federal government and redefining the narrative of American history. His efforts have elicited praise from conservatives but criticism from historians and progressive voices.
On March 27, Trump issued the "Restoring Truth And Sanity To American History" executive order, which called for the removal of "divisive, race-centered ideology" from institutions like the Smithsonian and for revoking changes to landmarks and monuments if they are perceived as distorting American history.
Critics argue that these actions downplay or even erase significant achievements by women and minorities. The Organization of American Historians warns that such moves are "a disturbing attack on core institutions and the public presentation of history, and indeed on historians and history itself." Meanwhile, Trump's allies claim that the executive actions are aimed at correcting left-wing attempts to distort history.
In another executive order on March 20, Trump sought to shut down the Department of Education and withhold federal funding for programs focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion or promoting gender ideology. He also aimed to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services and six other agencies on March 14.
Trump also abolished DEI programs and initiatives within the military on Jan. 27. These moves were later reversed, allowing for a purge of Pentagon webpages featuring notable female and minority veterans to be reinstated. The same month, Trump's efforts to "end radical indoctrination in K-12 schooling" revived his "patriotic education" initiative, accusing schools of indoctrinating students with anti-American ideologies.
Another notable action occurred on Jan. 20, when Trump sought to rename places in his attempt to put his influence on maps. He called for changing the Alaskan mountain known as Denali back to its earlier name, Mount McKinley, and for renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
On Jan. 29, Trump unveiled his plan to establish a National Garden of American Heroes, with civil rights activist Ida B. Wells-Barnett and anti-abortion activist Nellie Gray on the list of potential honorees. The president's attempts to shape American history have met both support and resistance, with historians debating the merits of his vision.
Despite widespread criticism, several of Trump's initiatives have provoked legal challenges and challenges on the political and social fronts. Conservative groups, such as the Heritage Foundation, have generally welcomed Trump's efforts to influence history and culture, as seen in the push to counter projects like the Pulitzer Prize-winning "1619 Project" by Nikole Hannah-Jones and The New York Times. These debates highlight the ongoing struggle to define America's past and future.
- President Trump's policy-and-legislation, such as the "Restoring Truth And Sanity To American History" executive order, have sparked controversy in the realm of general-news, with critics arguing they downplay accomplishments by women and minorities.
- Trump's actions, like his efforts to rename places and establish a National Garden of American Heroes, seek to redefine the narrative of American history, a move that has faced resistance from historians and progressive voices.
- In the field of education, Trump issued an executive order aiming to shut down the Department of Education and withhold federal funding for programs focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion or promoting gender ideology.
- Trump's policy on technology and government includes his endeavors to reshape institutions like the Smithsonian and revoke changes to landmarks and monuments, a move that the Organization of American Historians warns is an attack on history itself.
