Tribal & Territorial Affairs
Presidential Executive Orders
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January 20, 2025 (W.H. Link) - The order asserts that the previous administration implemented unpopular and harmful practices, including embedding "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (DEI) into Federal institutions, which it claims undermines merit and equality. It criticizes open border policies for straining resources and climate policies for driving inflation and overregulation. Relevant executive orders revoked include:
Executive Order 14031 of May 28, 2021 (Advancing Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders).
Executive Order 14049 of October 11, 2021 (White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities).
The order mandates the immediate termination of Federal implementation of "unlawful and radical DEI ideology" by agency heads (SEE RELATED EXECUTIVE ORDER). It further directs the Directors of the Domestic Policy Council (DPC) and National Economic Council (NEC) to review actions taken under previous administration directives, recommending within 45 days which should be rescinded, replaced, or amended to "enhance American prosperity." Additionally, the National Security Advisor (NSA) must review all National Security Memoranda (NSMs) issued between January 20, 2021, and January 20, 2025, to identify any harm to national security, domestic resilience, or American values, and provide recommendations for rescission within the same timeframe.
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January 23, 2025 (W.H. Link) - This presidential directive affirms the U.S. government's official stance in fully supporting federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe, including granting access to federal benefits.
The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with reviewing legal pathways to achieve this recognition and will submit a comprehensive plan to the President within 90 days.
The plan will evaluate potential approaches, including legislative action, judicial remedies, or federal acknowledgment procedures under 25 C.F.R. Part 83.
It is significant to note that while the 1956 Lumbee Act acknowledged the tribe, it explicitly denied them federal benefits.