Cultural & Historical Preservation
Presidential Executive Orders
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January 20, 2025 (W.H. Link) - The order directs that the U.S. flag be flown at full-staff on the current and all future Inauguration Days to honor the occasion and its significance.
After Inauguration Day of January 20, 2025, flags will return to half-staff per Proclamation 10876, honoring the late President Jimmy Carter, for the remainder of the 30-day mourning period.
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January 20, 2025 (W.H. Link) - This executive order focuses on promoting and preserving the legacy of American heritage by directing changes to the naming and renaming of geographical and natural landmarks. Key provisions include:
U.S. Board on Geographic Names: Federal agencies are instructed to review and potentially replace their appointees to the Board to align with this policy. The Board is tasked with advancing this initiative by updating naming principles and procedures and providing interim guidance for consistent federal references during congressional reviews.
Renaming Mount McKinley: The order reinstates the name “Mount McKinley” for North America’s highest peak, reversing the 2015 decision to name it Denali federally. While Denali National Park retains its name, this renaming recognizes President McKinley’s achievements and legacy. The Secretary of the Interior is directed to collaborate with Alaska Native entities to honor local history and culture through additional naming efforts.
Renaming the Gulf of Mexico: In recognition of the Gulf's critical economic and historical importance to the United States, it is to be renamed the “Gulf of America.” The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with updating all federal references, maps, and documents accordingly.
Additional Recommendations: The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to solicit public input and propose additional patriotic figures or events for recognition, particularly in preparation for the U.S. semiquincentennial celebration.
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January 20, 2025 (W.H. Link) - The directive instructs the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) to provide recommendations within 60 days on promoting Federal public buildings that reflect traditional, regional, and classical architectural styles to enhance civic spaces and honor the U.S. system of self-government. These recommendations should address potential revisions to the Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture and ways to incorporate community input in design decisions. If the GSA proposes a new Federal building design that diverges from this policy before recommendations are submitted, the Administrator must notify the President at least 30 days prior to any irreversible decision, justifying the proposed design.
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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 14015 of February 14, 2021 (Establishment of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships).
Executive Order 14084 of September 30, 2022 (Promoting the Arts, the Humanities, and Museum and Library Services).
Executive Order 14045 of September 13, 2021 (White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics).
Executive Order 14050 of October 19, 2021 (White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans).
Executive Order 14124 of July 17, 2024 (White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through Hispanic-Serving Institutions).
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 order mandates the full release of federal records related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The order asserts that continued withholding of information on these assassinations is no longer in the public interest. The 1992 JFK Records Act required full disclosure by 2017, but past administrations (2017-2023) allowed redactions and delayed releases, citing the need for further review.
Declassification Plan:
JFK Assassination Records: A plan for full release must be presented within 15 days.
RFK and MLK Assassination Records: A plan for full release must be presented within 45 days.
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February 7, 2025 (W.H. Link) - This executive order strengthens the role of faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship in federal programs by ensuring they can compete for government funding on equal terms. It emphasizes the administration’s commitment to religious liberty and seeks to eliminate any form of government discrimination against religious organizations. To facilitate these goals, the order establishes the White House Faith Office, housed within the Domestic Policy Council, to coordinate efforts that empower faith-based and community groups to serve individuals and families effectively. The office will work with various federal agencies to promote initiatives that align with religious and community-based missions, such as supporting marriage and family, preventing crime, promoting adoption and foster care, and ensuring faith organizations can participate in government-funded activities.
The order amends previous executive orders governing faith-based initiatives, renaming offices and clarifying their roles. It mandates that federal agencies support faith-based organizations by reducing regulatory burdens, promoting training and grant opportunities, and ensuring enforcement of religious liberty protections. The order requires agencies to appoint Faith Liaisons to oversee their efforts in implementing these policies and supporting faith-based engagement. Additionally, it directs the Attorney General to address concerns regarding failures to uphold religious protections. While ensuring compliance with existing laws and budgetary constraints, the order does not create new legal rights but seeks to bolster the presence and impact of faith-based organizations in federal partnerships.