Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History

March 27, 2025
Executive Orders

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Action Summary

  • Purpose and Policy: Restore an objective, fact-based portrayal of American history; counter efforts that rewrite key historical achievements with divisive, ideologically driven narratives.
  • Critique of Revisionist Practices:
    • Condemnation of past initiatives that reframe the nation’s founding principles as inherently flawed or oppressive.
    • Specific criticism of training at Independence National Historical Park and exhibits at Smithsonian institutions that emphasize divisive, race-centered interpretations.
  • Restoration of Historical Institutions:
    • Policy to restore Federal sites, museums, parks, and monuments to celebrate American heritage, progress, and achievements.
    • Mandate to return the Smithsonian Institution to a role that inspires pride and emphasizes American greatness.
  • Saving Our Smithsonian (Section 2):
    • Vice President, in coordination with key domestic policy advisors, to remove improper ideological content from Smithsonian properties.
    • Collaboration with Congress to direct future appropriations away from divisive programs and to appropriately celebrate American achievements.
    • Appointment of citizen members to the Smithsonian Board of Regents to ensure the policies of this order are advanced.
  • Restoring Independence National Historical Park (Section 3): Provision of sufficient funding for infrastructure improvements with a target completion by July 4, 2026.
  • Restoring Truth in American History (Section 4):
    • Secretary of the Interior tasked with assessing recent changes to public monuments and reinstating previous historical markers altered by partisan ideology.
    • Ensure that public monuments and memorials focus on the achievements and progress of the American people.
  • General Provisions (Section 5): Reaffirms legal authority for executive action and clarifies that the order does not create enforceable rights against the government.

Risks & Considerations

  • The Executive Order aims to reshape the narrative presented in federal historical sites and museums, which could lead to significant changes in how American history is taught and perceived. This may impact educational institutions, including Vanderbilt, that rely on these narratives for curriculum development.
  • There is a risk that the emphasis on removing “improper ideology” could lead to censorship or the exclusion of certain historical perspectives, potentially affecting academic freedom and the diversity of viewpoints in educational settings.
  • The order’s focus on celebrating certain aspects of American history while minimizing others could create a polarized environment, affecting collaborations and partnerships with institutions that have differing views on historical interpretation.
  • Vanderbilt University may need to consider how these changes could impact its programs related to history, cultural studies, and social sciences, particularly in terms of research funding and public engagement.

Impacted Programs

  • Department of History at Vanderbilt may face challenges in aligning its curriculum with the new federal narrative, potentially affecting course offerings and research focus.
  • Center for Teaching might need to provide additional support and resources for faculty to navigate the changes in historical narratives and ensure a balanced approach to teaching American history.
  • The Office of Public Affairs could play a crucial role in communicating Vanderbilt’s stance on historical interpretation and its commitment to academic freedom and diversity of thought.
  • Vanderbilt’s partnerships with museums and historical sites for research and educational programs may need to be reevaluated to ensure alignment with the new federal policies.

Financial Impact

  • The reallocation of federal funds towards specific historical narratives could impact the funding landscape for educational and cultural institutions, potentially leading to reduced financial support for programs that do not align with the new federal narrative.
  • Vanderbilt University might experience changes in its funding opportunities, particularly if federal discretionary grants prioritize projects that align with the new historical narrative. This could necessitate adjustments in grant application strategies and partnerships.
  • There may be increased opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research and development in historical policy and reform, particularly through collaborations with federal agencies that support the new narrative.
  • As the narrative around American history shifts, there could be a change in the demographics of students interested in history and cultural studies, potentially affecting enrollment and tuition revenue in these programs.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs.)

Key Actions

  • Vanderbilt’s History Department should evaluate its curriculum and public programs to ensure alignment with the new federal emphasis on traditional narratives of American history. This may involve reviewing course content and public lectures to avoid potential conflicts with the executive order’s directives.
  • The Office of Federal Relations should monitor developments related to federal funding for historical and cultural programs. Engaging with policymakers to understand the implications of funding restrictions on exhibits and programs could help Vanderbilt secure necessary resources while complying with new guidelines.
  • Vanderbilt’s Center for American Studies could explore opportunities to host discussions and forums on the evolving narratives of American history. By positioning itself as a leader in this dialogue, the center can enhance its reputation and attract scholars interested in these topics.
  • The Vanderbilt Project on Unity & American Democracy should consider how its initiatives align with the executive order’s focus on promoting unity and shared American values. This alignment could open avenues for collaboration with federal agencies and access to funding for related projects.

Opportunities

  • The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Museums and Cultural Programs to develop exhibits and programs that celebrate American achievements and values. By aligning with the federal focus, these programs could attract federal support and enhance public engagement.
  • Vanderbilt can capitalize on the emphasis on traditional American narratives by expanding its research and scholarship in areas related to American history and culture. This could include new research initiatives, publications, and partnerships with other institutions.
  • The order’s focus on restoring historical sites and monuments offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Archaeology and Preservation Programs to engage in projects that support these efforts. Collaborating with federal agencies on restoration projects could provide valuable research and educational opportunities.

Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments are needed to align Vanderbilt’s programs with the new federal directives on historical narratives and cultural programs.)

Average Relevance Score: 3

Timeline for Implementation

  • By July 4, 2026 – The Secretary of the Interior must complete the improvements at Independence National Historical Park.

No other explicit deadlines were provided for the remaining directives, so this is the sole deadline identified.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

  • Smithsonian Institution and Smithsonian Board of Regents: The order directs changes in museum programming and exhibits at Smithsonian properties and tasks the Smithsonian Board of Regents (via the Vice President’s role) with implementing policies that restore traditional narratives of American history.
  • Department of the Interior: The Secretary of the Interior is mandated to review and, if necessary, reinstate public monuments and memorials under its jurisdiction, as well as improve the infrastructure of Independence National Historical Park.
  • Office of Management and Budget (OMB): The Director of OMB is assigned to coordinate with Congress on future appropriations and work with the Department of the Interior to ensure that funding and management of museum exhibits align with the order’s directives.

Relevance Score: 2 (A moderate number of Federal Agencies are directly impacted by the directives.)

Responsible Officials

  • Vice President – Responsible for implementing policies through his role on the Smithsonian Board of Regents, working 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., as well as coordinating with Congressional leadership for appointments.
  • Director of the Office of Management and Budget – Tasked with collaborating with Congress to ensure appropriations for the Smithsonian Institution follow the directives and taking additional measures in conjunction with the Secretary of the Interior.
  • Secretary of the Interior – Charged with funding improvements to Independence National Historical Park and reviewing and restoring public monuments and related sites within the Department of the Interior to align with the Order’s directives.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives impact Cabinet-level and high-ranking White House officials, indicating a broad national-level implementation effort.)

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