Establishing the President's Advisory 1776 Commission
This executive order establishes the President’s Advisory 1776 Commission within the Department of Education to promote a specific framing of American founding history for students and the public. The Commission is tasked with helping rising generations understand the founding principles of the United States, counter what the administration describes as distorted or anti-foundational narratives, and encourage patriotic education. It directs federal agencies to prioritize “the American founding” in resources and programming, and to coordinate with the upcoming semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) celebration. The order emphasizes local control of curricula and rejects a national federal curriculum, while creating a temporary, federally supported body to oversee and advise on patriotic education initiatives, including a student award and recommendations for public-facing educational activities. The Commission is limited in duration (two-year sunset unless renewed), has up to 20 appointed members plus ex-officio federal officials, and receives DOE support. It must produce a public report within one year, advise on federal funding and programs related to patriotic education, and promote activities and awards to recognize student knowledge of the Founding, the Declaration, and the Revolutionary War. It also requires agencies to monitor Constitution Day compliance and to prioritize the founding in certain federal education, defense, and cultural-arm programs.
Key Points
- 1Creation and scope: The President’s Advisory 1776 Commission is established within the Department of Education to help a new generation understand the founding and “form a more perfect Union,” aiming to counter distorted portrayals of American history.
- 2Composition and leadership: The Commission shall have up to 20 presidentially appointed members, plus ex-officio members from several key federal departments (State, Defense, Interior, HUD, Education, plus domestic policy and intergovernmental affairs offices); members serve 2-year terms and are unpaid but reimbursed for travel.
- 3Mandates and outputs: Within 1 year, the Commission must produce a publicly disseminated report on core founding principles; advise on the 250th anniversary celebration plans; create a “Presidential 1776 Award” for students; advise on patriotic education at national parks, monuments, museums, etc.; guide prioritization of federal grants and initiatives related to the founding; and promote other patriotic-education activities.
- 4Administration and funding: The Department of Education provides funding and administrative support; the Executive Director coordinates the Commission; the Chair and Vice Chair are chosen from among Commissioners; the Commission’s work is intended to align with applicable law.
- 5Sunset and legal framing: The Commission terminates two years from the date of the order unless the President extends it; the order notes coordination with the Federal Advisory Committee Act and clarifies that it does not create enforceable rights and preserves existing executive and budget authorities.