James E. Clyburn, U.S. Congressman representing South Carolina’s 6th district since 1993, has recently criticized the Trump administration’s approach to historical interpretation and free speech in a series of posts on his social media account.
On September 16, 2025, Clyburn addressed the removal of slavery-related content from national parks by the Trump administration, quoting: “The Trump administration is scrubbing signs and exhibits on slavery from national parks, labeling the information a ‘corrosive ideology.’ No, Mr. President. Learning about our country’s history of slavery is not a ‘corrosive ideology’—the ideology justifying slavery was.”
Continuing his criticism on September 17, 2025, Clyburn referenced a historic photograph to highlight concerns about censorship: “The ‘Scourged Back’ photograph was widely circulated across America in the 1800s. It exposed the brutal realities of slavery and helped shift public opinion against the institution. The Trump administration doesn’t want you to see it.”
Later that day, he commented on efforts to regulate speech under claims of targeting hate speech: “The Trump administration says it’s targeting ‘hate speech.’ I’m all for prosecuting speech that is intended to and likely to incite imminent lawless actions. But sorry, Mr. President, criticizing you and your disastrous policies isn’t that.”
Jim Clyburn was born in Sumter, South Carolina in 1940 and currently resides in Columbia. He graduated from South Carolina State University with a BA in 1962.
