In what can only be described as blitz, the White House and President Trump, as of today --April 3, 2025-- has issued 109 executive orders.
We're just 74 days into the term and the administration has issued more executive orders than any other in their first 100 days, already surpassing Franklin Roosevelt, who issued 99. The first Trump administration (2017-2021) itself issued just 33 executive orders in its first 100 days. Biden issued 43, Obama 19, W. Bush 11, and Clinton 13.
First of all, what is an executive order? I found this explanation by the ACLU helpful. (linked)
An executive order is a written directive, signed by the president, that orders the government to take specific actions to ensure “the laws be faithfully executed.” It might mean telling the Department of Education to implement a certain rule, or declaring a new policy priority. Executive orders, however, cannot override federal laws and statutes.
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With an executive order, the president can’t write a new statute, but an order can tell federal agencies how to implement a statute.
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With an executive order, President Trump can order the federal government to take any steps that are within the scope of the constitutional authority of the executive branch, and do not violate any federal law.
For perspective, I am not lawyer. I am an historian that relays histories through walking tours and storytelling. I have also been a civics educator, museum educator, and a professional development expert for teachers. Across several disciplines, I have two decades of experience in the education field. But, you don't have to be a lawyer or an educator to understand the practical, on-the-ground consequences of an executive order.
One of the recently issued orders was "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," issued on March 27th. The order chastises two museums in particular, the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the American Women's History Museum.
In the order, the Smithsonian is cautioned (by way of conditioning federal expenditures) against creating programs that:
"...degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy; and
... recognize men as women in any respect in the Museum."
In essence, this order seeks to control narratives of American history & culture developed by Smithsonian museums through exhibitors and other programming. Federal policy has revealed itself in the past few months as essentially opposing mentions or acknowledgment of any struggle against racism, sexism, transphobia, xenophobia, and other institutional challenges faced by marginalized people.
Which leaves me wondering what exactly Smithsonian museums will be allowed to showcase within their walls. Of course, not all museums feature historical exhibitions. Visual arts, music, design, textiles, crafts, math, science, aviation, geography, history, culture, and even the humble postage stamp are covered in some part by Smithsonian museum exhibitions. And yes, the National Zoo is included.
Would these past exhibitions be allowed under what are sure to be newly introduced guidelines?
