Trump announces he is 'restoring' the names of several bases changed under Biden
FOX NewsJUN 3
Trump to Restore Names of Army Bases Changed for Confederacy Associations
Above: U.S. President Donald Trump at a Fort Bragg, North Carolina rally with U.S. Army troops on June 10. Image copyright: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
Trump respects America's Armed Forces and is reversing the Democrat-led change to inject wokeness into the Army. These base names carry deep historical significance for countless servicemembers, and there was no need to alter them for a political agenda. The Army has found a way to rechristen the bases in honor of decorated American heroes while sidestepping any controversy.
Democratic narrative
The effort to remove the names of Confederate figures from military bases was a bipartisan initiative designed to end the veneration of figures who rebelled against the U.S. in defense of slavery. The Army is meant to be an institution that reflects the diverse nation it defends, and should honor heroes from underrepresented groups. Trump's reversal is a dog whistle that does not take into account how American values have evolved.