President Donald Trump is seeking to restructure the way students learn about the founding of the United States in schools.
During a speech at the National Archives Museum on Thursday, Trump revealed his going to promote “patriotic education” through an executive order.
“It will be called the 1776 commission. It will encourage our educators to teach our children about the miracle of American history and make plans to honor the 250th anniversary of our founding,” Trump said.
He added, “Think of that, 250 years.”
Watch part of his speech below:
.@realDonaldTrump announces the creation of a "1776 Commission" to create curriculum that is "pro-American" that "celebrates the truth about our nation's great history."
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) September 17, 2020
The move is meant to contrast "critical race theory" and the 1619 Project, which Trump called "propaganda." pic.twitter.com/bKqzxKnInp
Trump accused “the left” of attempting to divide Americans by examining every issue through the lens of race.
The president claimed they want to “impose a new segregation.”
He called critical race theory, the New York Times’s 1619 Project, and the “crusade against” the history of America “toxic propaganda” and “ideological poison.”
According to the New York Times, the 1619 Project “aims to reframe the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.”
The publication launched the initiative in August 2019, which was the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery.
Trump made it clear if these things are not removed they will “dissolve the civic bonds that tie us together” and it will “destroy our country.”
He noted he banned trainings in this “prejudiced ideology” in the “strongest manner possible.”
According to Trump, the National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded a grant to fund a “pro-American” curriculum.
Earlier this month Trump threatened to pull funding from California schools for incorporating the 1619 Project into their curriculum.
“Department of Education is looking at this. If so, they will not be funded!” Trump said.
Department of Education is looking at this. If so, they will not be funded! https://t.co/dHsw6Y6Y3M
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 6, 2020
In July, Trump claimed schools are about “Radical Left Indoctrination, not Education” and threatened their tax-exempt status, as IJR previously reported.
