Trump Recognizes Black History Month as Pentagon Ends Identity Celebrations/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump White House issued a proclamation celebrating Black History Month, even as the Defense Department announced an end to official observances of cultural identity months, including Black History Month and Women’s History Month. The move aligns with Trump’s broader push to eliminate DEI programs, which he calls “discriminatory.” His proclamation highlighted abolitionists, conservative figures, and Tiger Woods, while the Pentagon shifted focus to service over identity.
Trump’s Black History Month Proclamation vs. Pentagon’s DEI Ban: Quick Looks
- Black History Month Recognized – Trump issues traditional presidential proclamation for February observance.
- Pentagon Ends Identity Celebrations – Defense Department bans official observances of cultural history months.
- DEI Programs Under Fire – Trump calls diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives discriminatory.
- Focus on “Merit” – Trump administration moves toward “service over identity” policies.
- Historical Figures Highlighted – Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Clarence Thomas, and Tiger Woods mentioned.
- Presidential Tradition Continues – Every U.S. president since Gerald Ford in 1976 has recognized Black History Month.
Trump Recognizes Black History Month as Pentagon Ends Identity Celebrations
Trump’s Black History Month Proclamation Clashes with Pentagon Ban: Deep Look
A Tale of Two Messages: White House vs. Pentagon
The White House’s proclamation encouraged Americans to recognize the contributions of Black leaders and called for “appropriate” observances, without defining what that means.
At nearly the same time, the Defense Department’s memo, titled “Identity Months Dead at DOD,” stated that official military resources will no longer be used for events such as:
- Black History Month
- Women’s History Month
- National Disability Employment Awareness Month
The memo emphasized that the military will honor service and character, rather than identity:
“We are proud of our warriors and their history, but we will focus on the character of their service instead of their immutable characteristics.”
Trump’s Broader Crackdown on DEI Programs
Since taking office on January 20, 2025, Trump has moved aggressively to dismantle DEI initiatives, including:
Ending affirmative action in federal contracting.
Placing all federal DEI workers on leave, with layoffs expected.
Blaming DEI for air safety concerns, despite no supporting evidence.
The Pentagon’s move aligns with this agenda, shifting the focus to “merit-based” recognition over identity-based celebrations.
The Presidential Tradition of Black History Month
Despite his push to eliminate identity-based policies, Trump continued a decades-old tradition by recognizing Black History Month.
- President Gerald Ford (1976) was the first to issue a proclamation.
- Every U.S. president since has followed suit.
Trump’s statement praised abolitionists Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, as well as conservative figures such as:
- Thomas Sowell – Economist known for criticizing affirmative action.
- Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas – A longtime opponent of race-based policies.
- Tiger Woods – Listed as an American great who has “pushed the boundaries of excellence.”
“This National Black History Month, as America prepares to enter a historic Golden Age, I want to extend my tremendous gratitude to black Americans for all they have done to bring us to this moment.” – Trump’s proclamation.
The Future of Identity Celebrations Under Trump
- How federal agencies will recognize Black History Month moving forward.
- If identity-based programs will return under a future administration.
- What impact this will have on military diversity and representation.
For now, the clash between the White House and the Defense Department reflects Trump’s balancing act between maintaining traditional recognitions and erasing diversity-focused programs.
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