Former Archivist of the United States Colleen Shogan and Deputy Archivist William J. Bosanko were removed from their positions last month, marking the first step in replacing them with Trump-aligned appointees.
The position changes at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), an agency responsible for preserving historical documents, has raised concerns among historians and preservationists about the future of archival integrity, according to The Hill.
Critics such as Thomas Brown, a former employee of NARA, argued that these changes could influence the handling of sensitive government records, according to The Associated Press.
“It pains me to think that I spent 30 years trying to build something and enhance the reputation of the National Archives, only to see it pulled down by political ideology,” he said.
President Trump expressed his desire to replace top officials at the National Archives before assuming office on Jan. 20 in an interview with conservative radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt.
“Let me just put it—yeah, we will have a new archivist,” Trump said on the radio show.
The Smithsonian Institution, which receives significant federal funding, has also felt the impact of these policy shifts.
A Smithsonian spokesperson confirmed that the Smithsonian’s Office of Diversity has closed, following Trump’s directive to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices across federally funded institutions, according to The Associated Press.
The Smithsonian has yet to announce any plans for reallocating diversity initiatives or addressing concerns raised by staff and scholars.
Jim McSweeney, who dedicated nearly four decades to the archives before retiring in 2022, explained the agency’s responsibility to maintain all historically significant records, “whether they’re good, bad or ugly.”
“They can’t be sanitized,” he said. “These events occurred, and they must be preserved for future generations. Historians and everyday citizens alike should have access to them for learning and study.”
Meanwhile, federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security continue removing DEI-related guidance from their websites, further signaling a broader rollback of diversity-focused policies under the Trump administration.
Organizations that previously benefited from federal DEI grants are now searching for alternative funding sources, with nonprofits including the International Rescue Committee, Refugees International and faith-based groups such as Catholic Charities and HIAS looking to fill the gaps.
As the Trump administration continues to reshape federal and federally supported institutions, the long-term effects on historical preservation, public access to records and diversity initiatives have yet to be determined.
Copy edited by Aniyah Genama
