In the first 65 days of his second term, President Donald Trump signed over 100 executive orders, and he shows no signs of stopping. This constant stream of new and controversial executive orders has caused panic throughout the nation. Some of the most concerning orders attempt to end birthright citizenship and declaring that the U.S. government will only recognize two genders. His blatant challenges to the constitution are sending shock waves through the country and causing the public to wonder where his executive power truly ends. Executive orders like these show that he and his administration pose a threat to American democracy, and his power only seems to be growing at an alarming rate.
On March 27th President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “President Trump Restores Truth and Sanity to American History” which aims to target funding to the Smithsonian Museum. The executive order was signed behind closed doors, and the goal of the order, according to Trump was to end the funding of “improper ideology” and remove anything from the Smithsonian that is out of line with the values of his administration. Trump specifically mentioned removing “harmful ideologies” from the various Smithsonian institutions, but he has been vague on exactly what those ideologies are. This terminology is especially concerning because it leaves the entire interpretation of what is a “harmful ideology” up to the Trump administration, and this leads to the question of who isTrump trying to protect and who’s history is he trying to erase?
The specific museums within the Smithsonian institute that are being targeted are the American Art Museum, the African American History Museum and the Women’s history Museum, as they have been identified by the Trump Administration for spreading “anti-American ideology”. Trump stated that the reason those museums are being targeted is because they villainize the West and promote identity politics that divide Americans. Trump has placed his Vice President, J.D. Vance, on the Smithsonian Museum’s network board, and has tasked him with carrying out this executive order executive order.
However, the Trump administration’s mischaracterization of identity politics seems to be centered around how the celebration of individual identities divides the United States. This is wrong. The Trump administration’sviewpoint refuses to acknowledge the value that each American brings to this country and the important histories they contribute.
Trump’s executive order grossly overlooks the truth that history is important, no matter what it is. And that “covering up America’s shameful past does not make this nation great.” Acknowledging the past, learning about previous wrongs and striving to correct them is what makes this nation great, not fear, accusation and hatred. In his attempt erase history, Trump is trying to erase people. This order is attempting to erase transwomen, people of color and to replace the real history of this country with a glorified image of American greatness that refuses to acknowledge those who do not fit in mold of Trump’s America. The purpose of institutions like the Smithsonian is to educate us about the past, so we can avoid repeating our mistakes in the future. And redacting the history of our nation is the opposite of this purpose.
Trump claims that these museums are racist. However, the policies that he wants to enact, such as removing exhibits from the American history museum, and sculpture exhibits from the American Art Museum, will whitewash the institution by removing history and inspiration figures that contradict Trump’s America first agenda.
Another concerning aspect of this executive order is the way it was carried out. This order was signed behind closed doors.That delivery speaks volumes to the public as itsends the message that the Trump administration does not value public opinion or input in this decision, and many of his previous decisions.
The United States is infamous for its violent and oppressive past, and it will continue to be remembered no matter what is erased from the Smithsonian. However, Executive orders like this one seek to avoid tough discussions about America’s history and are a direct attempt to encourage the growth of a nationalist America. This cultural shift is a threat to American democracy as we know it and has the potential to increase violence in this country.
