President Donald Trump announced the restoration of the original names of several military bases that had been changed to honor Confederate soldiers. Speaking at Fort Bragg, which was previously known as Fort Liberty before his administration reverted it, Trump disclosed plans to rename seven other bases, including Fort Pickett, Fort Hood, Fort Gordon, and others. Emphasizing the historical significance of these forts in winning battles, Trump expressed a superstitious inclination to maintain their original names.

Trump’s decision aligns with his longstanding preference for retaining the base names, evident in his veto of legislation in 2020 that aimed to establish a commission for recommending name changes. Despite bipartisan support for the bill following racial justice protests, Trump’s veto was upheld. Upon his return to office, the Department of Defense reinstated the names of Fort Bragg and Fort Benning, the latter briefly known as Fort Moore, under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s directive.

Critics, including retired Army Brig. Gen. Ty Seidule, who served on the commission, view Trump’s actions as undermining the will of the American people as expressed through their elected representatives. Seidule highlights the commission’s selection of “true American heroes” who exemplify national values, contrasting them with Confederate soldiers whom he condemns for choosing treason to uphold slavery. Seidule, a former head of the history department at West Point, asserts that Confederate soldiers represent the “worst of America,” advocating for honoring individuals who embody the nation’s ideals.