7 times Trump admin. has been accused of erasing black history
1. Defense Department drops 'identity months'
In late January of last year, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued guidance noting that “identity months” at the Department of Defense, including Black History Month, were “dead.”
“Our unity and purpose are instrumental to meeting the Department's warfighting mission. Efforts to divide the force — to put one group ahead of another — erode camaraderie and threaten mission execution,” stated the guidance.
“Installations, units, and offices are encouraged to celebrate the valor and success of military heroes of all races, genders, and backgrounds as we restore our warrior culture and ethos. We are proud of our warriors and their history, but we will focus on the character of their service instead of their immutable characteristics.”
As a result of the guidance, the Defense Department was prohibited from using “official resources, to include man-hours, to host celebrations or events related to cultural awareness months.”
Specific observances listed included Black History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, National American Indian Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, Pride Month, and Women’s History Month.
The guidance went on to note that members of the military were still “permitted to attend these events in an unofficial capacity outside of duty hours.”
Kristofer Goldsmith, a U.S. Army veteran and founder of the Task Force Butler Institute and Veterans Fighting Fascism, told KPBS that he believed the decision was "really harmful — not just [for] our military and readiness for combat — but culturally for the United States.”
