Trump Recognizes Black History Month While Rolling Back Diversity Programs

The president's proclamation omits key historical struggles and follows executive orders dismantling federal diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

President Trump issued a proclamation declaring February 2025 as Black History Month, highlighting figures like Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and contemporary Black conservatives such as Thomas Sowell and Justice Clarence Thomas.
The proclamation notably excludes references to slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, or landmark legislation, marking a shift from Trump's previous Black History Month messages during his first term.
Trump's recent executive orders have eliminated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies, schools, and the military, sparking concerns from civil rights groups about potential legal challenges to private-sector DEI efforts.
The Defense Intelligence Agency reportedly paused Black History Month activities, aligning with the administration's broader push against identity-based observances, though some actions, like removing a Tuskegee Airmen video, were reversed after public backlash.
Historians and civil rights advocates warn that efforts to limit DEI and Black history education distort historical truths, but emphasize that Black history's preservation and celebration remain resilient and independent of government endorsement.