RESTORING TRUTH AND SANITY TO AMERICAN HISTORY

Restoring Truth (by returning bias) and Sanity (through irrational measures) to American History

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Purpose and Policy. Over the past decade, Americans have witnessed a concerted and widespread effort to rewrite (not rewrite, rather add to) our Nation’s history, replacing objective facts with a distorted narrative driven by ideology rather than truth ("over the past half century the emergence to political, economic, cultural, and social authority of women, African Americans, and other people previously omitted from historical consideration, plus the appointment of members of those groups to academic faculties and senior positions in other cultural institutions, have led scholars to learn more about those groups’ histories." Banner) This revisionist movement (All History is Revisionist History by James M. Banner Jr. on neh.gov) seeks to undermine the remarkable achievements of the United States by casting its founding principles and historical milestones in a negative light (more in the full sun rather than a flashlight). Under this historical revision, our Nation’s unparalleled legacy of advancing liberty, individual rights, and human happiness is reconstructed as inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed. Rather than fostering unity and a deeper understanding of our shared past (it is a individuals choice to not accept a deeper understanding and acceptance to foster unity), the widespread effort to rewrite history deepens societal divides and fosters a sense of national shame, disregarding the progress America has made and the ideals that continue to inspire millions around the globe. (Currently the administration is profoundly disregarding the progress America has made erasing women and people of color from government archives and databases, our truth, our American history.)

The prior administration advanced this corrosive ideology. At Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — where our Nation declared that all men are created equal — the prior administration sponsored training by an organization (could find no record of this organization) that advocates dismantling “Western foundation" and “interrogating institutional racism” and pressured National Historical Park rangers that their racial identity should dictate how they convey history to visiting Americans because America is purportedly racist. (But the current administration has washed down the Independence National Historical Park page to get rid of statements they consider corrosive ideology like "The aspirational vision in the Declaration defines the ideals that set the United States on a course of continued work toward a more perfect union." and statements on diversity "Discover American stories in all their diversity, from ancient homelands of Native peoples to the homes of Presidents." and "The National Park Service provides opportunities to discuss and learn from our triumphs and struggles as Americans on our path to realize the more perfect union envisioned in our Constitution. In striving to tell stories of all Americans, the National Park Service is expanding its efforts to fully reflect the diversity of the American population." Resistance Rangers

Once widely respected as a symbol of American excellence and a global icon of cultural achievement (it still is), the Smithsonian Institution has, in recent years, come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology. This shift has promoted narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive. For example, the Smithsonian American Art Museum today features “The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture,” an exhibit representing that “[s]ocieties including the United States have used race to establish and maintain systems of power, privilege, and disenfranchisement.” (from the Smithsonian "these sculptures are displayed to allow for juxtapositions of historical and contemporary works that invite dialogue and reflection on notions of power and identity. American sculpture in its many forms also has served as an expression of resistance, liberation, and a vital means for reclaiming identity.") The exhibit further claims that “sculpture has been a powerful tool in promoting scientific racism” and promotes the view that race is not a biological reality but a social construct, stating “Race is a human invention.” (From 'Misunderstanding of race as biology has deep negative biological and social consequences' NIH.gov "These individuals think population differences in health and intelligence are the result of immutable, biologically based differences between ‘racial’ groups, despite overwhelming evidence that racial groups are not genetically discrete, reliably measured or scientifically meaningful...Because racial groups are not genetically discrete, when the term ‘race’ is discussed, we are referring to the self‐identified races (socio‐cultural constructs)

The National Museum of African American History and Culture has proclaimed that “hard work,” “individualism,” and “the nuclear family” are aspects of “White culture.” (These quotes are cherry picked from a larger educational piece from 2020 since removed but archived here, "Talking about race: Whiteness : Since white people in America hold most of the political, institutional, and economic power, they receive advantages that nonwhite groups do not.", whoever wrote this first sentence was likely referencing X accounts or news articles that had already singled out these specific "proclamations" and have not read the actual education piece the museum had put up on its website.) The forthcoming Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum plans on celebrating the exploits of male athletes participating in women’s sports. (The real controversy should be that it took until 2020 to create a Women's History Museum under the Smithsonian umbrella) These are just a few examples.

It is the policy of my Administration to restore Federal sites dedicated to history, including parks and museums, to solemn and uplifting public monuments that remind Americans of our extraordinary heritage, consistent progress toward becoming a more perfect Union, and unmatched record of advancing liberty, prosperity, and human flourishing. Museums in our Nation’s capital should be places where individuals go to learn — not to be subjected to ideological indoctrination or divisive narratives that distort our shared history. (This order and these statements make and stoke further divisive narratives.)

To advance this policy, we will restore the Smithsonian Institution to its rightful place as a symbol of inspiration and American greatness –- igniting the imagination of young minds, honoring the richness of American history and innovation, and instilling pride in the hearts of all Americans.

Sec. 2. Saving Our Smithsonian. (a) The Vice President , in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Associate Staff Secretary, Lindsey Halligan, Esq.(A unqualified Florida property insurance lawyer with zero art or museum background), shall work to effectuate the policies of this order through his role on the Smithsonian Board of Regents with respect to the Smithsonian Institution and its museums, education and research centers, and the National Zoo, including by seeking to remove improper ideology from such properties, and shall recommend to the President any additional actions necessary to fully effectuate such policies.

(b) The Vice President and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall work with the Congress to ensure that future appropriations to the Smithsonian Institution:

(i) prohibit expenditure on exhibits or programs that degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy; and

(ii) celebrate the achievements of women in the American Women’s History Museum and do not recognize men as women in any respect in the Museum.

(c) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Secretary of the Interior shall take any other measures within their authority to promote the policy of this order.

(d) As appropriate, the Vice President shall, in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and Special Assistant to the President and Senior Associate Staff Secretary, Lindsey Halligan, Esq. (A unqualified Florida property insurance lawyer with zero art or museum background), work with the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate Majority Leader, to seek the appointment of citizen members to the Smithsonian Board of Regents committed to advancing the policy of this order.

Sec. 3. Restoring Independence Hall. The Secretary of the Interior shall provide sufficient funding, as available, to improve the infrastructure of Independence National Historical Park, which shall be complete by July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Sec. 4. Restoring Truth in American History.

(a) The Secretary of the Interior shall:

(i) determine whether, since January 1, 2020, public monuments, memorials, statues, markers, or similar properties within the Department of the Interior’s jurisdiction have been removed or changed to perpetuate a false reconstruction of American history, inappropriately minimize the value of certain historical events or figures, or include any other improper partisan ideology;

(ii) take action to reinstate the pre-existing monuments, memorials, statues, markers, or similar properties, as appropriate and consistent with 43 U.S.C. 1451 et seq., 54 U.S.C. 100101 et seq., and other applicable law; and

(iii) take action, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to ensure that all public monuments, memorials, statues, markers, or similar properties within the Department of the Interior’s jurisdiction do not contain descriptions, depictions, or other content that inappropriately disparage Americans past or living (including persons living in colonial times), and instead focus on the greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people or, with respect to natural features, the beauty, abundance, and grandeur of the American landscape.

Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,

March 27, 2025.

Photos of sculptures taken at the Smithsonian from The Shape of Power exhibit