Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump orders Interior Department to display signs outside Smithsonian Museum of American History — President Trump issued an order directing Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to coordinate with the National Park Service and White House domestic policy staff to install temporary signs outside the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The signs are to notify visitors that museum exhibits require renovation and direct them to alternative sources for American history information. A separate directive requires signs criticizing the museum's commemoration of the Declaration of Independence during its 250th anniversary. The order follows Trump's broader campaign against the Smithsonian, which he accuses of politicizing history by emphasizing American injustices rather than triumphant moments.
• Trump signs executive order directing federal agencies to install signage at Smithsonian's National Museum of American History warning visitors of alleged "ideological capture" and mandating exhibit corrections. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14416 on July 24, 2026, directing the Secretary of the Interior, OMB Director, GSA Administrator, and Domestic Policy Assistant to use all available authorities to "restore trust" in the Smithsonian Institution. The order mandates installation of temporary signage on National Park Service–maintained sidewalks and walkways warning visitors that Museum exhibits reflect "ideological capture" and directing them to alternative sources for "accurate" American history. The order also requires temporary exhibits or signage correcting what the administration deems inaccurate information, citing the Museum's alleged failure to honor the Declaration of Independence signers during the 250th anniversary year.
• Trump issues executive order directing federal agencies to "restore trust" in Smithsonian Institution and install signage criticizing its exhibits — President Trump issued Executive Order 14254 on July 24, 2026, directing the Secretary of the Interior, OMB Director, GSA Administrator, and Domestic Policy Assistant to use all available authorities to address findings in a Domestic Policy Council report alleging "ideological capture" at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. The order mandates installation of temporary signage on National Park Service-maintained walkways warning visitors of alleged bias in museum exhibits and directing them to alternative historical resources. The order frames the Smithsonian's approach to American history as advancing "social justice" rather than presenting history as "shared national inheritance."
• Trump signed executive order directing federal agencies to install signage at Smithsonian museum warning of "ideological capture" — President Trump signed Executive Order 14416 on July 24, 2026, directing the Secretary of the Interior, OMB Director, GSA Administrator, and Domestic Policy Assistant to use all available authorities to "restore trust" in the Smithsonian Institution and its National Museum of American History. The order mandates installation of temporary signage on National Park Service-maintained walkways informing visitors of findings from a Domestic Policy Council report titled "Saving America's Story," which claims the museum presents American history as a tool for "social justice" rather than as "shared national inheritance." The order also directs installation of corrective exhibits or signage on NPS land.
• White House issued fact sheet promoting executive order on Smithsonian Institution governance — The White House published a fact sheet on July 24, 2026, describing an executive order signed by President Trump directing the Secretary of the Interior, OMB Director, GSA Administrator, and Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy to "restore trust" in the Smithsonian Institution. The order directs installation of temporary signage and exhibits correcting what the administration characterizes as "inaccurate information" in the National Museum of American History. The fact sheet claims the Smithsonian has been captured by "extreme political activism, rooted in Marxism" and asserts the order aims to restore "truth" to the nation's historical narrative.
• White House issues "What They Are Saying" compilation on Ratepayer Protection Pledge expansion — The White House published a compilation of statements from utility executives, state governors, federal officials, and industry groups endorsing an expansion of the administration's Ratepayer Protection Pledge announced at EPA Headquarters on July 24, 2026. The pledge commits signatories to ensure that data center and AI infrastructure costs do not increase electricity rates for existing residential and business customers. The document presents no new policy instrument but aggregates third-party endorsements of the pledge previously announced.

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• White House releases 162-page report attacking Smithsonian Institution's historical interpretation — The White House Domestic Policy Council released a 162-page report on July 4, 2026, arguing that the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of American History "cannot be trusted to tell America's story honestly." The report criticizes the museum for "extreme political activism," "anti-White activism," "transgender activism," and supporting illegal immigration. It accuses the museum of presenting slavery too negatively and failing to adequately credit Christian moral philosophy in the founding. The report recommends exhibits be altered to reflect its findings.

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• Federal grant funded "Freedom Trucks" with sanitized history exhibits — Six traveling "Freedom Trucks" fanned out for the 250th anniversary with exhibits created by conservative groups including Hillsdale College and PragerU, featuring AI-generated historical figures and messaging that rights are a "gift from God." The trucks received a $14 million federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services paired with $10 million from Freedom 250. The exhibits omit slavery, Native removal, labor history, and civil rights, presenting a narrow, sanitized version of American history using public funds.

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• US appeals court rules Trump administration need not reinstate removed climate, immigration, and slavery materials from national parks — A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled Thursday that the Trump administration does not have to reinstate materials related to climate change, immigration, and slavery that it removed from national parks. The decision reversed a June district court order requiring reinstatement within 21 days. The appeals court found the advocacy groups challenging the removals had not demonstrated "irreparable harm" or specific evidence linking the removals to reputational or membership damage, despite the lower court's finding that the administration's actions set "a dangerous precedent of censorship and sanitization."

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• New York Times investigation reveals decades of sexual abuse allegations against Cesar Chavez — The New York Times published an investigation on 18 March detailing allegations that labor leader Cesar Chavez sexually abused women and girls, including co-founder Dolores Huerta, from the 1960s to the 1980s. The investigation prompted swift action by elected officials in California, Texas, and Arizona to remove Chavez's name from public spaces, streets, schools, and state holidays. Historians and Latino leaders are reassessing Chavez's legacy and the risks of centering social movements around single figures.
• New York Times investigation reveals sexual abuse allegations against Cesar Chavez — The New York Times published an investigation on March 19, 2026, documenting allegations that the late United Farm Workers co-founder Cesar Chavez groomed and sexually abused girls within the movement for years. The report prompted multiple state governments, labor organizations, and community groups to cancel or rebrand Cesar Chavez Day celebrations scheduled for March 31. Arizona became the first state to officially discontinue observance of the holiday, and California's governor indicated openness to renaming it. The UFW, LUPE, and other organizations called the allegations "indefensible" and "disturbing."

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• Trump administration executive order directs alteration of federal historical materials — In an executive order issued in March 2025, Trump accused the Biden administration of promoting "improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology" and instructed the Interior Secretary to alter materials under the department's control that "have been improperly removed or changed in the last five years to perpetuate a false revision of history or improperly minimize or disparage certain historical figures or events." The order has already resulted in changes to Smithsonian Institution displays, including removal of text discussing Trump's impeachment and role in the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack from the National Portrait Gallery.
• National Park Service dismantles slavery-related exhibit at President's House site in Philadelphia — The National Park Service, under the Trump administration, removed informational displays about enslaved people from the President's House site in Independence National Historical Park, which was the former residence of George Washington and John Adams. The exhibit, established in 2010 following a 2006 city-agency agreement and a 2003 Congressional directive, included panels recognizing people enslaved by Washington and a chronology of U.S. slavery. Philadelphia filed a federal lawsuit on Thursday against the Department of Interior, Secretary Doug Burgum, the NPS, and Acting Director Jessica Bowron, seeking restoration of the exhibits.

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• Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery removed text from Trump's portrait referencing impeachments and 2020 election loss — Under pressure from the White House, the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery removed text accompanying Trump's portrait that referred to his two impeachments and his loss to Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. The removal occurred in January 2026 and represented institutional capitulation to executive pressure to alter the historical record.

Supporting reports

• Trump called January 6 rioters patriotic protesters — On the fifth anniversary of the January 6 attack, the Trump administration blamed the police officers themselves for starting the insurrection and called the rioters "patriotic protesters." In response, retiring Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) called the January 6 rioters "thousands of thugs."
• Trump White House rewrote history of January 6, 2021 Capitol attack — On January 6, 2026, the fifth anniversary of the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, Trump's White House rewrote the historical record of the insurrection, claiming that the rioters were "peaceful patriotic protesters" and blaming Democrats for the attack. This directly contradicted the documented facts of the violent assault on the Capitol by Trump supporters attempting to prevent the lawful transfer of power.
• White House unveiled website blaming Democrats for January 6 attack and claiming Trump "corrected a historic wrong" by pardoning rioters — On January 6, 2026, the fifth anniversary of the Capitol attack, the White House unveiled a new website blaming the Democrats for the attack and stating that Trump had "corrected a historic wrong" by pardoning the rioters. The website represented an official rewriting of the January 6 insurrection narrative to absolve the rioters and assign blame to the opposing party.
• White House website rewrites January 6, 2021 Capitol attack history — The official White House website reversed the historical record of the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, characterizing the insurrectionists who beat and wounded at least 140 police officers and called for Vice President Mike Pence's hanging as "peaceful patriotic protesters." The site claimed Democrats staged "the real insurrection" by certifying the 2020 election results.

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• White House added partisan descriptions of previous presidents to Presidential Walk of Fame — In mid-December 2025, the White House revealed that Trump had attached partisan descriptions of previous presidents on the "Presidential Walk of Fame" at the White House. The descriptions called Democratic president Barack Obama "one of the most divisive figures in American History" and Joe Biden "by far, the worst President in American History," claiming Biden took office "as a result of the most corrupt Election ever seen in the United States" and "oversaw a series of unprecedented disasters that brought our Nation to the brink of destruction." Trump described himself as the architect of "the Greatest Economy in the History of the World."
• Trump installs partisan plaques on White House presidential portraits — White House officials installed new plaques beneath presidential portraits in the "Presidential Walk of Fame" featuring Trump's personal assessments of former presidents. Biden's plaque calls him "by far, the worst President in American History" and falsely claims his election was "the most corrupt Election ever seen." Obama is branded "one of the most divisive political figures." Clinton's accomplishments are minimized and his wife's 2016 loss to Trump is highlighted. Reagan receives praise. Biden's portrait was replaced with an image of an autopen. The plaques adopt opinionated language resembling Trump's Truth Social posts rather than neutral historical summaries.
• White House installed plaques mocking former presidents Obama and Biden in presidential portrait hall — The White House installed plaques beneath portraits of former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden in the hall of presidential portraits. The plaque under Obama's portrait describes him as "one of the most divisive political figures in American History" who "passed the highly ineffective 'Unaffordable' Care Act." The plaque under an autopen replacing Biden's portrait states: "Sleepy Joe Biden was, by far, the worst President in American History. Taking office as a result of the most corrupt Election ever seen in the United States, Biden oversaw a series of unprecedented disasters that brought our Nation to the brink of destruction."
• White House installs plaques criticizing former presidents — The White House installed plaques criticizing former presidents under Trump's new "Presidential Walk of Fame." Joe Biden's plaque reads that he was "by far, the worst President," and Barack Obama's reads, "One of the most divisive political figures in American History," and blamed him for creating the "Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax."
• Senator Murkowski criticized Trump's presidential plaques as inappropriate — Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) told NBC that the plaques are inappropriate, stating that the individuals featured were elected presidents of the country and that Trump should not attempt to redefine their contributions or lack thereof. She expressed concern that the plaques represent an improper use of the presidential residence to attack predecessors.
• Trump installed plaques attacking former presidents in White House — The Trump administration installed plaques featuring biographical write-ups of former presidents along the West Wing colonnade as part of Trump's "Walk of Fame." The plaques for Trump's Democratic opponents read like Truth Social attacks, with harsh language and emphasis capitalization. Biden's plaque calls him "by far, the worst President in American history" and features an autopen signature instead of Biden's actual signature. Obama's plaque refers to him as "Barack Hussein Obama" and calls him "one of the most divisive political figures in American History," attacking his healthcare and foreign policy. Clinton's plaque ends by noting his wife lost the 2016 presidency to Trump. Jackson's plaque compares Trump's treatment by the press to Jackson's and Lincoln's.

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• Trump proclaims October 13, 2025, as Columbus Day with rhetoric defending Columbus against "left-wing" criticism. — President Trump issued Proclamation 10980 on October 9, 2025, officially designating October 13, 2025, as Columbus Day. The proclamation characterizes Columbus as "the original American hero" and "a giant of Western civilization," and explicitly frames the observance as a defense against what the proclamation calls "left-wing radicals" who have "toppled his statues" and "vandalized his monuments." The proclamation invokes statutory authority (36 U.S.C. 107) and directs display of the U.S. flag on public buildings and "appropriate ceremonies and activities" in Columbus's honor.
• Trump issued Columbus Day proclamation presenting white Christian nationalist historical narrative — On October 9, President Trump's office issued an official proclamation declaring October 13 Columbus Day, presenting Columbus as "the original American hero" and "a giant of Western civilization." The proclamation emphasizes Christianity, claiming Columbus was guided by a "noble mission" to "spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ" and that he "planted a majestic cross" dedicating the land to God. It frames modern historical scholarship on Columbus's role in Indigenous decimation as "left-wing arson" seeking to "erase our history" and "attack our heritage," asserting that "every citizen is eternally indebted to his relentless determination."
• White House issued Columbus Day proclamation — The White House issued a proclamation on October 9, 2025, designating October 13, 2025, as Columbus Day. The proclamation characterizes Columbus as "the original American hero" and "a giant of Western civilization," frames recent efforts to remove Columbus statues and monuments as a "vicious and merciless campaign to erase our history," and states that "under my leadership, those days are finally over." The proclamation directs that the U.S. flag be displayed on all public buildings on Columbus Day.

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• Oklahoma superintendent Ryan Walters resigns to lead conservative education non-profit — Ryan Walters, superintendent of Oklahoma public schools since 2022, announced his resignation on Fox News to become leader of the Teacher Freedom Alliance, a conservative education non-profit. Walters had pursued a Christian nationalist agenda in Oklahoma schools, including placing Trump-endorsed Bibles in classrooms, requiring teaching of 2020 election conspiracy theories, and attempting to inject Christian viewpoints into public education while opposing teachers unions. He stated his intention to expand this fight nationally.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth orders approximately 800 top military generals and admirals to Quantico for unusual meeting — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered approximately 800 of the military's top generals and admirals, along with their senior enlisted advisors, to gather at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia the following week. The demand is highly unusual; no official explanation was provided for the meeting. Military experts noted the cost in flights and accommodations would be millions of dollars and the lost focus would affect military readiness, while the sudden global recall signals potential instability to adversaries and allies. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance downplayed the meeting when questioned by reporters.
• Trump threatened political violence in response to ICE facility shooting — During remarks, Trump stated: "Bad things happen when they play these games. I'll give you a little clue, the right is a lot tougher than the left. And they better not get them energized because it won't be good for the left," in reference to a shooting at an ICE facility in Texas. House Homeland Security Democrats responded that Trump was "openly threatening political violence."
• Defense Secretary Hegseth affirmed Medal of Honor awards to soldiers involved in 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that twenty men awarded the Medal of Honor for their participation in the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre would retain their medals, reversing the review initiated by his predecessor General Lloyd Austin. Austin had ordered the review to ensure awardees were not recognized for conduct inconsistent with the nation's highest military honor. Hegseth called the soldiers "brave soldiers" and stated they deserved the medals, effectively closing the review process.
• Secretary of Defense Hegseth announces decision to allow Wounded Knee soldiers to retain their medals — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth released a video announcing that soldiers who fought at the Battle of Wounded Knee will be permitted to keep their medals, declaring the decision final and their place in history settled. The Atlantic's James Surowiecki noted that the U.S. awarded 20 Medals of Honor to cavalrymen who killed hundreds of Lakota people, mostly women and children, at Wounded Knee—twice as many as the 10 awarded to troops who fought at Normandy on D-Day.
• Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth summons hundreds of senior military officers to Washington for speech on military standards — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered hundreds of generals and admirals stationed worldwide to travel to Washington on short notice to hear him deliver a speech on military standards and "warrior ethos." A source described the gathering as an "eyeball-to-eyeball" conversation where Hegseth wanted to see the generals in person. The Washington Post reported the unusual summons of senior military leadership.

Supporting reports

• Trump criticized Smithsonian Institution's slavery exhibits — President Trump stated that the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum complex located mostly in Washington, D.C., focuses too much on "how bad slavery was." The criticism prompted public controversy and was characterized as part of a broader effort to reshape how American history, particularly regarding racial injustice, is presented and remembered in public institutions.
• Trump directs attorneys to review Smithsonian museums for "out of control" content — On Truth Social, Trump claimed that the Smithsonian is "OUT OF CONTROL," and complained that their museums focus too much on "how bad Slavery was," along with "how horrible our Country is." He noted that he's directed his attorneys to "go through the Museums, and start the exact same process that has been done with Colleges and Universities where tremendous progress has been made."

Supporting reports

• Trump administration ordered Smithsonian review for "American exceptionalism" — The Trump administration ordered a comprehensive review of exhibits and materials at the Smithsonian Institution to "ensure alignment with the President's directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions." Trump later stated the museums should discuss history "in a fair manner, not in a woke manner or in a racist manner," falsely claiming they currently do so.
• Trump criticized Smithsonian Institution's slavery exhibits — President Trump stated that the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum complex located mostly in Washington, D.C., focuses too much on "how bad slavery was." The criticism prompted public controversy and was characterized as part of a broader effort to reshape how American history, particularly regarding racial injustice, is presented and remembered in public institutions.
• Trump directs attorneys to review Smithsonian museums for "out of control" content — On Truth Social, Trump claimed that the Smithsonian is "OUT OF CONTROL," and complained that their museums focus too much on "how bad Slavery was," along with "how horrible our Country is." He noted that he's directed his attorneys to "go through the Museums, and start the exact same process that has been done with Colleges and Universities where tremendous progress has been made."
• Trump administration escalates attacks on Washington DC institutions and federal workforce — The article references Trump's escalated attacks on Washington DC, the Smithsonian museums, immigrants, elections, institutions of higher learning, and culture. It also notes his foreign policy as "clearly now dictated by Putin." The piece frames these actions as part of an "authoritarian breakthrough" while calling for continued democratic resistance and action.
• White House issues release criticizing Smithsonian Institution exhibitions and programming — The White House published a release titled "President Trump Is Right About the Smithsonian" cataloging and criticizing specific exhibitions, displays, and programming across multiple Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Portrait Gallery, American History Museum, National Museum of African Art, National Museum of the American Latino, and Museum of American Art. The release characterizes these exhibitions as promoting "woke" ideology, critical race theory, and progressive political messaging. No direct executive action or policy directive is stated in the document itself.

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• White House sends letter to Smithsonian Institution directing cultural review — The Trump administration sent a letter to Dr. Lonnie Bunch, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, informing him of an intent to review museum exhibitions, curatorial processes, planning, use of collections, and artist grants to ensure alignment "with the president's directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions." The review will focus on eight museums including the National Museum of African-American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, and the Hirshhorn Museum. The review is being led by Trump's Florida criminal defense attorney, who joined from property law and convinced Trump to sign an executive order placing her in charge after she objected to certain exhibits. Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget and key Project 2025 author, is also on the three-person team.
• Trump's Smithsonian review team wrote to Smithsonian secretary demanding alignment with presidential directive — On August 12, 2025, Trump's three-person Smithsonian review team, including Florida criminal defense attorney Lindsey Halligan and Russell Vought (director of the Office of Management and Budget), wrote to Dr. Lonnie Bunch, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, informing him they intended to review museum exhibitions, curatorial processes, planning, use of collections, and artists' grants. The team stated they would ensure exhibitions align "with the president's directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions." The review targeted eight major Smithsonian museums including the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of the American Indian.

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• Hegseth announces reinstallation of Confederate memorial at Arlington National Cemetery — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the reinstallation of a Confederate memorial at Arlington National Cemetery that was removed in 2003 for glorifying the Southern cause and glossing over slavery. The memorial depicts an enslaved woman as a "Mammy" and an enslaved man following his owner to war, and includes Latin text promoting the "Lost Cause" narrative romanticizing the pre-Civil War South. The reinstallation will cost taxpayers $10 million.

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• National Park Service flagged exhibits on climate change, slavery, and Native American imprisonment as non-compliant — By July 2025, National Park Service teams were attempting to interpret Burgum's vague directive not to "inappropriately disparage Americans" and began flagging exhibits deemed problematic. Flagged exhibits included displays on sea level rise due to climate change at Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina, information on human enslavement at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, and exhibits on the imprisonment of Seminoles, Cheyennes, Araphaos, Kiowas, Comanches, Caddos, and Apaches at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in Florida.

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• Defense Department removes webpage honoring Vietnam War general — In mid-March 2025, the Defense Department removed a webpage honoring an Army general who served in the Vietnam War and received the country's highest military decoration. The letters "DEI" were added to the site's address, signaling the removal was part of the administration's anti-DEI campaign. Following public backlash, the page was restored, though a Pentagon spokesperson defended the removal effort and stated that claims diversity is a strength are "frankly, incorrect."
• National Park Service deletes content on Black soldiers' Revolutionary War contributions — The Minute Man National Historical Park webpage was edited to delete a section documenting the unrecognized contributions of Black soldiers in the Revolutionary War, as part of the broader Trump administration effort to remove content deemed to promote diversity and inclusion from federal historical resources.
• National Park Service removes Harriet Tubman quote and image from Underground Railroad webpage — The National Park Service deleted a prominent quote and image of abolitionist Harriet Tubman from its Underground Railroad webpage, removing references to slavery and the Fugitive Slave Act while reframing the Underground Railroad's history to emphasize "Black/White Cooperation" instead of enslaved people's resistance to bondage. The revision reflects the Trump administration's broader effort to sanitize federal historical narratives by removing content deemed to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
• National Park Service removes transgender references from Stonewall National Monument webpage — In February 2025, the National Park Service removed references to transgender people from its Stonewall National Monument webpage as part of the broader Trump administration effort to eliminate DEI-related content from federal historical and educational resources.
• Trump administration directs removal of DEI-related content across federal government websites — Following Trump's January 2025 inauguration, the administration has systematically directed federal agencies to remove content deemed to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from government websites. The Pentagon issued a memo ordering a "digital content refresh" instructing officials to search for and delete references to racism, ethnicity, LGBTQ issues, and diversity. The Interior Department directed park service officials to identify webpages for similar changes, resulting in removal of content honoring women and minority contributions across thousands of pages.
• Trump administration removes Benjamin Franklin slavery webpage — The Trump administration removed a webpage examining Benjamin Franklin's relationship with slavery from federal government sites. The page now displays a message stating "This page is currently being worked on. Please check back later," effectively taking offline historical content about a founding figure's involvement in slavery.
• National Park Service restored Harriet Tubman photo and quote — The National Park Service restored a photo and quote from Harriet Tubman to a web page about the Underground Railroad, one day after the Washington Post reported the agency rewrote the history of the movement on its website as part of an anti-DEI push by Trump.
• Trump administration erases historical figures from federal websites as part of DEI elimination — The Trump administration removed references to Harriet Tubman, Medgar Evers, and other historical leaders from federal websites as part of a broader effort to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This action follows an executive order issued on March 27, 2025, targeting DEI programs across federal agencies, including efforts to defund or redirect resources from the African American History Museum and the Kennedy Center.

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• Trump issues executive order directing Smithsonian reshaping and ideological content removal — President Trump issued an executive order on March 27, 2025, directing Vice President JD Vance to remove what the administration deems "improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology" from the Smithsonian Institution's museums, education centers, research facilities, and the National Zoo. The order specifically targets exhibits addressing race and American history, directs the American Women's History Museum to exclude transgender recognition, mandates appointment of new board members aligned with the order's policy, and instructs the Secretary of the Interior to restore Confederate-era statues and memorials removed in the past five years. The order frames these actions as correcting a "concerted and widespread" effort to rewrite U.S. history.
• Trump issued executive order "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History" directing federal historic sites to align with administration ideology — On March 27, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," asserting that the nation's history had been rewritten by ideology rather than fact. The order directed the Secretary of the Interior to review federal monuments, memorials, and statues removed or altered since January 1, 2020, and restore them to ensure they do not "inappropriately disparage Americans" and instead focus on "the greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people." The order also targeted the Smithsonian Institution, directing a three-person review team to examine museum exhibitions and ensure they align with the president's directive to celebrate American exceptionalism and remove divisive narratives.
• Trump executive order targets DEI programs at federal cultural institutions — An executive order issued on March 27, 2025, directs federal action against diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, with specific targeting of the African American History Museum and the Kennedy Center. The order aims to eliminate or redirect DEI-related funding and operations at these institutions.
• Trump signed executive order directing removal of exhibits and narratives from federal historical sites and museums — President Trump signed Executive Order 14253 on March 27, 2025, directing federal agencies to remove what the order characterizes as "ideological" content from the Smithsonian Institution, Independence National Historical Park, and other Interior Department historical sites. The order instructs the Vice President to work through his Smithsonian Board seat to "remove improper ideology" from exhibits and programs; directs the Secretary of the Interior to reinstate pre-2020 monuments and ensure descriptions do not "inappropriately disparage Americans"; and mandates that future congressional appropriations to the Smithsonian prohibit exhibits that "divide Americans based on race" or conflict with federal policy. The order names specific current exhibits as examples of objectionable content.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14253 directing removal of exhibits and narratives from federal museums and historical sites deemed ideologically divisive, with authority delegated to the Vice President over the Smithsonian Institution. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14253 on March 27, 2025, directing federal agencies to remove exhibits, programs, and historical narratives from museums and monuments that the order characterizes as "divisive" or promoting "ideology" rather than "objective facts." The order specifically targets the Smithsonian Institution, directing the Vice President to work through his role on the Smithsonian Board of Regents to remove what the order calls "improper ideology." It instructs the Secretary of the Interior to audit and reinstate pre-2020 monuments and ensure all federal historical sites focus on "greatness" and "achievements" rather than narratives the order deems disparaging. Future appropriations are to be conditioned on prohibiting exhibits that "divide Americans based on race" or are "inconsistent with Federal law and policy."
• Trump issues executive order directing federal agencies to remove "ideological" content from Smithsonian Institution and federal historical sites — President Trump signed an executive order on March 27, 2025, directing the Vice President, OMB Director, and Secretary of the Interior to remove what the order characterizes as "divisive, race-centered ideology" from the Smithsonian Institution, Independence National Historical Park, and other federal historical sites. The order mandates restoration of pre-2020 monuments and memorials, prohibits future federal funding for exhibits deemed to "degrade shared American values" or "divide Americans based on race," and requires the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum to exclude recognition of transgender athletes. The order frames this as restoring "truth" and "sanity" to American history.
• White House issued fact sheet promoting executive order on Smithsonian and federal historical sites — The White House published a fact sheet on March 27, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump directing the Vice President to eliminate what the order characterizes as "improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology" from the Smithsonian Institution and its museums. The order directs the Secretary of the Interior to restore federal parks, monuments, and memorials altered in the prior five years, and instructs Congress to condition future Smithsonian appropriations on prohibiting exhibits that "degrade shared American values" or "divide Americans by race." The fact sheet asserts that prior administrations promoted "divisive ideology" and cites specific Smithsonian exhibits as examples.
• Trump administration issues executive order targeting Smithsonian Institution exhibits on race and American history — On Thursday, March 28, 2025, the Trump administration announced an executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History" that orders a large reshaping of the Smithsonian Institution to eliminate what Trump described as "improper, divisive or anti-American ideology." The order specifically criticized the Smithsonian American Art Museum's exhibit "The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture" and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Vice President JD Vance was ordered to "remove improper ideology" from Smithsonian museums and educational centers. Artists, academics, and civil rights figures have condemned the order as an attempt to censor and erase Black history and diverse perspectives from public institutions.
• Trump signs executive order on American history curriculum — Trump signed an executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History" directing Vice President J.D. Vance, in his capacity as a member of the Smithsonian Board of Regents, to work to eliminate "improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology" from the Smithsonian Institution, its museums, education and research centers, and the National Zoo. The order represents an attempt to reshape how Americans understand and learn their history.
• Trump signs executive order suspending security clearances for law firms representing Democratic clients — Trump signed executive orders suspending security clearances for law firms that represent Democratic clients and barring the federal government from hiring employees from those firms. The orders target legal representation based on client political affiliation, creating a mechanism to exclude attorneys from federal employment based on their professional representation.
• Trump administration challenges judges and undermines judicial credibility — The Trump administration has challenged judges who have ruled against Trump and worked to destroy public faith in the courts. The effort represents a systematic campaign to delegitimize judicial authority when it conflicts with administration preferences.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon webpage for Medal of Honor recipient removed — The US Department of Defense removed a webpage honoring Maj Gen Charles C Rogers, a Black Medal of Honor recipient, from its site. The page, which celebrated Rogers's service in the Vietnam War, was replaced with a "404" error message, and the URL was altered to include "DEI" instead of "medal." This change sparked public outcry, leading to the restoration of the page. The removal coincides with the Trump administration's efforts to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across the federal government.
• Pentagon restores webpage for Black Medal of Honor winner — The US Department of Defense restored a webpage honoring Maj Gen Charles Calvin Rogers, a Black Medal of Honor recipient, after it was removed and altered to include "DEI" in the URL. The restoration followed public outcry. Despite this, the Department continues to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, arguing against diversity as a strength. Thousands of pages recognizing contributions by women and minority groups have been removed as part of this campaign.

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• Air Force removes DEI-related training videos — The Air Force removed training courses featuring videos of the Tuskegee Airmen and Women Airforce Service Pilots to comply with an executive order eliminating DEI initiatives. The decision has been criticized for erasing important historical content and undermining diversity efforts within the military.
• Deletion of Military History Content from Websites — Reports indicate that at least ten articles about the Code Talkers and other minority veterans have been removed from U.S. military websites, with broken URLs now labeled “DEI.” This includes content about Black veterans and women who served in the military. The Department of Defense has faced public outcry over these deletions, leading to the restoration of some content. The erasure of this history is seen as an attempt to elevate white men as the sole actors in military history.

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• Mentions of Black people scrubbed from federal websites — During Black History Month, mentions of Black people are being removed from some federal websites. This action is part of a broader effort to diminish the visibility and contributions of Black Americans in public records and history. The removal of these mentions is seen as an attempt to undermine the fair access of Black Americans to employment opportunities and to promote a white supremacist narrative. This has raised significant concerns about racial discrimination and the erasure of Black history.

Supporting reports

• National Park Service removes transpeople from webpages — The National Park Service has removed references to transpeople from its official webpages. This action is part of a broader federal effort to erase transpeople from public life, including healthcare, education, and military service. The removal of transpeople from these webpages is seen as a significant step in the systematic exclusion of this group from American history and public recognition. This move has sparked outrage and concern among civil rights advocates who view it as an attack on the rights and visibility of transgender individuals.

Supporting reports

• Executive Order on Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness — President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14172, directing the reinstatement of the name "Mount McKinley" and renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." The order mandates the Secretary of the Interior to update the Geographic Names Information System and work with relevant entities to implement these changes. The order aims to honor American heritage and contributions by renaming national landmarks.
• Executive Order: Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness — On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness." This order directs the reinstatement of the name "Mount McKinley" for North America's highest peak, reversing a 2015 decision by the Obama administration. It also mandates the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." The order requires the Secretary of the Interior to update the Geographic Names Information System and work with relevant entities to implement these changes. The order aims to honor American historical figures and promote national heritage.
• White House issues executive order renaming Mount McKinley and Gulf of Mexico — The White House issued an executive order on January 20, 2025, directing the restoration of the name "Mount McKinley" to North America's highest peak (renamed Denali in 2015) and renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." The order directs the Secretary of the Interior to update federal geographic naming systems within 30 days and instructs agency heads to review and potentially replace appointees to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to align with the stated policy of honoring "visionary and patriotic Americans."
• Trump renames Gulf of Mexico and Mount Denali — President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" and Alaska's Mount Denali to Mount McKinley. These changes reflect Trump's efforts to assert American identity and tradition, though they have no international bearing.
• Trump signs order to rename Gulf of Mexico and Denali — On his first day in office, Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America and Alaska's Denali as Mount McKinley. The order directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement these changes in federal communications and official maps. The renaming is intended to honor "American greatness" and will not affect international naming conventions. The order highlights the historical significance of President McKinley and the economic importance of the Gulf of Mexico.
• Trump executive order on Gulf of Mexico — President Trump issued an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. This symbolic move does not apply to private businesses but reflects Trump's influence on national identity and geographic nomenclature.
• Trump renames Gulf of Mexico and Denali — President Trump announced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and change the name of Denali back to Mt. McKinley. This decision reflects Trump's intent to promote a specific vision of American identity and history, which has faced criticism from various political figures.