Trump takes action to end DEI at Smithsonian

President Donald Trump’s recent executive order has sparked controversy and debate across the nation. The order, aimed at restoring what he calls “truth and sanity” in American history, targets the Smithsonian Institution, national monuments, and public institutions that promote what Trump deems as divisive ideologies.

One of the key points of the order is the directive to Vice President Vance to eliminate any “improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology” from Smithsonian museums, research centers, and even the National Zoo. The order also calls on Congress to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used to fund exhibits or programs that degrade American values or promote ideologies that divide Americans by race.

According to the order, there has been a concerted effort to rewrite history and push a factually baseless ideology that seeks to diminish American achievements. The Smithsonian specifically comes under fire for promoting narratives that portray American and Western values as harmful. Trump singles out exhibits that suggest sculpture has been used to promote scientific racism and that the United States has maintained power through racial systems.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is also criticized in the order for suggesting that aspects of “White culture,” such as hard work, individualism, and the nuclear family, are exclusive to white individuals. Additionally, the order takes issue with the Smithsonian’s failure to recognize men as women in the American Women’s History Museum.

Another significant aspect of the executive order is the directive to the Secretary of the Interior to restore national parks, monuments, and statues that have been “improperly removed or changed” in recent years to fit a false revision of history. The order mandates that restorations and improvements be completed at Independence Hall before the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

Furthermore, the order revives Trump’s initiative to protect historical monuments from vandalism and establish a National Garden of American Heroes. This project, first proposed on Independence Day in 2020, aims to honor key figures in American history.

In conclusion, Trump’s order emphasizes the administration’s commitment to celebrating American history accurately, fairly, and with pride. The move has sparked a range of reactions and responses, with the Smithsonian yet to comment on the matter. As the nation grapples with questions of historical accuracy and ideological divides, the implications of this executive order remain to be seen.

If you’re interested in more news and updates, stay tuned for the latest developments.