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A White House spokesperson told The Post in an email that the president is “hoping to place members on the board who align more closely with his vision.”
The National Council on the Humanities, a board of 26 scholars and humanities leaders appointed by the president to six-year terms, advises the chair of the NEH on grantmaking, policy and funding decisions.
Before the government shutdown began Wednesday, the members were scheduled to attend a special meeting next week to submit nominations for the National Humanities Medal, consider three “sole source” grant applications and review statue proposals for Trump’s National Garden of American Heroes, according to a copy of the meeting notice reviewed by The Post.
By law, the council’s meetings require a quorum of 14, and new members must be confirmed by the Senate.
Some of the members whose names were removed from the website had been appointed by Trump.
Claire McCaffery Griffin, a retired teacher brought on by Trump during his first administration, said she was surprised by how terse the email was. While noting she doesn’t know what went on behind the scenes, she said she’s disappointed that the White House did not appear to “take a more nuanced approach in making decisions,”
Among other Trump appointees who were apparently fired, Marjorie Fisher could not immediately be reached for comment, and Kathe Hicks Albrecht declined to comment.
One member who was fired noted that the board now consists only of White men. “I’m not totally shocked,” said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a personnel matter. “But at a time where we’re about to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday … we now have a council that does not reflect all Americans.”
The statute establishing the council says the president “shall give due regard to equitable representation of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities” when selecting members.
The National Council on the Humanities, a board of 26 scholars and humanities leaders appointed by the president to six-year terms, advises the chair of the NEH on grantmaking, policy and funding decisions.
Before the government shutdown began Wednesday, the members were scheduled to attend a special meeting next week to submit nominations for the National Humanities Medal, consider three “sole source” grant applications and review statue proposals for Trump’s National Garden of American Heroes, according to a copy of the meeting notice reviewed by The Post.
By law, the council’s meetings require a quorum of 14, and new members must be confirmed by the Senate.
Some of the members whose names were removed from the website had been appointed by Trump.
Claire McCaffery Griffin, a retired teacher brought on by Trump during his first administration, said she was surprised by how terse the email was. While noting she doesn’t know what went on behind the scenes, she said she’s disappointed that the White House did not appear to “take a more nuanced approach in making decisions,”
Among other Trump appointees who were apparently fired, Marjorie Fisher could not immediately be reached for comment, and Kathe Hicks Albrecht declined to comment.
One member who was fired noted that the board now consists only of White men. “I’m not totally shocked,” said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a personnel matter. “But at a time where we’re about to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday … we now have a council that does not reflect all Americans.”
The statute establishing the council says the president “shall give due regard to equitable representation of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities” when selecting members.
