Executive Order 14253

Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History

Signed March 27, 2025, printed at 90 FR 14563. 4 sections of substance, 1,241 words.

In plain English

This order is about how history is shown at museums and parks. It bars displays it calls false or divisive.

Sec. 1. Purpose and Policy

Over the past decade, Americans have witnessed a concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation's history, replacing objective facts with a distorted narrative driven by ideology rather than truth. This revisionist movement seeks to undermine the remarkable achievements of the United States by casting its founding principles and historical milestones in a negative light. Under this historical revision, our Nation's unparalleled legacy of advancing liberty, individual rights, and human happiness is reconstructed as inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed. Rather than fostering unity and a deeper understanding of our shared past, the widespread effort to rewrite history deepens societal divides and fosters a sense of national shame, disregarding the progress America has made and the ideals that continue to inspire millions around the globe. The prior

In plain English

This sets out the case the order makes. It says the country's history has been rewritten. It says facts gave way to ideology. It says the founding is cast as racist and oppressive. It says that breeds shame rather than unity. It says the progress made is left out.

Sec. 2. Saving Our Smithsonian

(a) The Vice President, in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Associate Staff Secretary, Lindsey Halligan, Esq., shall work to effectuate the policies of this order through his role on the Smithsonian Board of Regents with respect to the Smithsonian Institution and its museums, education and research centers, and the National Zoo, including by seeking to remove improper ideology from such properties, and shall recommend to the President any additional actions necessary to fully effectuate such policies. (b) The Vice President and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall work with the Congress to ensure that future appropriations to the Smithsonian Institution: (i) prohibit expenditure on exhibits or programs that degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or

In plain English

This is about the Smithsonian. The Vice President sits on its board. He must work to strip out what the order calls ideology. That covers museums, research centers and the zoo. He must suggest further steps to the President. He and the budget office must also work with Congress. Future funding would carry conditions.

Sec. 3. Restoring Independence Hall

The Secretary of the Interior shall provide sufficient funding, as available, to improve the infrastructure of Independence National Historical Park, which shall be complete by July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

In plain English

This funds a park. Interior must provide the money, as it is available. The site is the historical park in Philadelphia. Its infrastructure must be improved. The work must be done by July 4, 2026. That day marks 250 years since the Declaration was signed.

Sec. 4. Restoring Truth in American History

(a) The Secretary of the Interior shall: (i) determine whether, since January 1, 2020, public monuments, memorials, statues, markers, or similar properties within the Department of the Interior's jurisdiction have been removed or changed to perpetuate a false reconstruction of American history, inappropriately minimize the value of certain historical events or figures, or include any other improper partisan ideology; (ii) take action to reinstate the pre-existing monuments, memorials, statues, markers, or similar properties, as appropriate and consistent with 43 U.S.C. 1451 et seq., 54 U.S.C. 100101 et seq., and other applicable law; and (iii) take action, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to ensure that all public monuments, memorials, statues, markers, or similar properties within the Department of the Interior's jurisdiction do not contain descriptions, depictions,

In plain English

This is about monuments. Interior must check what changed since January 2020. It must find any removed or altered to distort history. It must put those back where the law allows. It must also review descriptions on them. Signs that carry partisan content are covered.

Sec. 5. General Provisions

Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or [[Page 14565]] (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, March 27, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-05838 Filed 4-2-25; 8:45 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P </pre></body> </html>

In plain English

This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.

How this order is quoted

Each section is quoted as the order prints it, under its own number and heading. Executive orders are United States government works and are not under copyright. Long sections are cut at a sentence and the whole order is a click away.