EO 14253 directs federally administered historical settings to prohibit exhibits related to historical and institutional racism, it bars the inclusion or mention of transgender women in American Women’s History Museum, and orders the reinstatement of any monuments, memorials, statues, and markers which were removed or changed in or after 2020. The impact of this EO is it will reduce Americans understanding of our complete history by significantly affecting the ability to present exhibitions and educational materials on race, gender, other critical aspects of American history. By restricting or discouraging content related to the histories of Black/African Americans, Indigenous peoples, women, LGBTQI+ communities, this order risks erasure of vital narratives that are essential to understanding the nation’s past and present. This order has implications for shaping our nation’s collective memory of important traumatic events such as scientific racism against current and formerly enslaved Africans and massacres of Indigenous populations. Removal of artifacts or evidence regarding historical events and distribution of resources will limit opportunities for explaining disparities in health, wealth or other socioeconomical markers experienced by populations today.
A directive issued by the President that manages operations of the federal government. Executive orders have the force of law but must align with existing statutes and constitutional authority.
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Who Is Not Impacted: Private citizens and businesses do not have to directly follow an executive order unless it leads to regulations or policies that apply to them. For example, an executive order directing federal agencies to increase renewable energy use does not mandate action from private companies, but it may influence policy shifts that eventually affect them.
Summary
EO 14253 seeks to remove what this Administration terms “improper, divisive or anti-American ideology” from historical settings, primary national parks and the Smithsonian museums and suggests that including including historical figures or narratives on racism, sexism and /or being transgender perpetuates division among Americans while falsely characterizing American history and principles.
Impact Analysis
Legal Challenges
N/A
Take Institutional Action
• Institutions should examine their own history and publicly acknowledge the role their organization played in events of historical significance, including events related to race, gender and social inequality
• Institutions should examine their own history and publicly acknowledge the role their organization played in events of historical significance, including events related to racism, sexism and anti-LGBTQI+ ideology and where appropriate take accountability for their historical role. A recent example of this is the Milbank Memorial Fund’s acknowledgement of their role in the Tuskegee syphilis study. (https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/shame-and-trauma-hope-and-healing-act-reconciliation-and-restorative-justice-tuskegee)
Associated or Derivative Policies
Policy Prior to 2025
Prior policies regarding the Smithsonian and other historical institutions did not have guidance regulating exhibit content and programs. Typically, focus remained on funding and oversight rather than content or ideology.
