Biden Declares Break with Far-Right by Abolishing 'Hero Garden' to Erase Trump Legacy

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] U.S. President Joe Biden has begun to 'erase Trump.' He announced the cancellation of former President Donald Trump's plan for the 'American Heroes' garden. This is interpreted as a firm break from the repression policy against anti-racism protests.

According to the political media outlet Politico on the 14th (local time), President Biden canceled several orders issued during the Trump administration's final days in response to anti-racism protests, including the National Heroes Garden plan.

Former President Trump announced the garden plan on the eve of the U.S. Independence Day last July, when anti-racism protests were in full swing following the death of George Floyd, stating that he would protect America's heroes.

During the protests, some statues of historical figures were destroyed.

Former President Trump signed an executive order for the park's establishment on January 18, just before leaving the White House.

The garden was to include statues of historical figures such as former Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, former President Ronald Reagan, evangelical Christian leader Reverend Billy Graham, as well as American icons like Alex Trebek, host of the TV quiz show 'Jeopardy,' and basketball player Kobe Bryant.

Politico evaluated this move as a symbolic action reaffirming President Biden's firm intention to break away from the Trump administration's repression policy against anti-racism protests.

Former President Trump characterized the anti-racism protests as 'anarchy and left-wing extremism,' stating, "We want to faithfully preserve American history. We will never allow angry mobs to topple our statues, erase our history, and trample our freedoms."

President Biden also withdrew an executive order that prioritized punishing those who damaged statues during the anti-racism protests.

Since taking office, President Biden has hastened a comprehensive 'erasure of Trump.'

He halted the construction of the 'border wall' between the U.S. and Mexico, a key policy of former President Trump, and also announced the suspension of the 'Keystone XL' pipeline project transporting Canadian crude oil to the U.S.

He stopped the withdrawal process from the World Health Organization (WHO) and rejoined the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Recently, he resumed the publication of climate change reports that were halted during the Trump administration and restarted the reunification of immigrant families.