The American Historical Association and the Organization of American Historians, the two major professional organizations for historians in the United States, issued a joint statement upon the signing of the executive order, calling the administration’s policies “a systemic campaign to distort, manipulate, and erase significant parts of the historical record.”
“Recent directives insidiously prioritize narrow ideology over historical research, historical accuracy, and the actual experiences of Americans,” the joint statement said.
Native American communities have been particularly affected. According to the National Parks Conservation Association, a nonprofit advocacy group, funding cuts have severely undermined the work of more than 200 Tribal Historic Preservation Officers nationwide. These positions help tribes protect their heritage sites and ensure accurate representation of their history.