Overview

• Shelly Lowe, the first Native American to chair the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), was removed from her position at the direction of President Trump.
• Lowe, a Navajo Nation member, was appointed by President Biden in 2021 and confirmed by the Senate in 2022.
• Trump replaced Lowe with NEH general counsel Michael McDonald as acting chair while a permanent replacement is sought.
• The dismissal is part of Trump's broader efforts to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies through executive orders.
• The NEH, established in 1965, has awarded over $6 billion in grants to cultural and educational institutions and is now under scrutiny as Trump reshapes federal cultural and arts organizations.