The National Cryptologic Museum in Fort Meade, Maryland, covered up exhibits honoring women and people of color, sparking outrage from former NSA employees who demanded their restoration. The museum reversed course after public criticism and explained the action as an unintended oversight, but the incident raised concerns about the impact of the White House's anti-DEI stance on federal agencies.
Following a White House directive against DEI ( Diversity , Equity, and Inclusion) programs, the National Cryptologic Museum in Fort Meade, Maryland, covered up exhibits honoring women and people of color in its Hall of Honor. The museum's actions sparked outrage among former NSA employees who swiftly mobilized, demanding the restoration of the exhibits.
Last week, images surfaced online showing plaques dedicated to trailblazing women and people of color who had served at the National Security Agency (NSA) covered with brown paper. Larry Pfeiffer, a retired NSA veteran with two decades of service, expressed astonishment at the act, which he likened to erasing history. He was joined by other prominent figures like retired General Michael Hayden, a former NSA director who served under presidents from both parties.The swift condemnation from former NSA workers forced the museum to reverse course. On Sunday, they uncovered the plaques and issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) acknowledging their mistake. However, dissatisfied with the explanation, dozens of NSA retirees visited the museum on Monday, demanding a clear understanding of what transpired. Rob Johnson, a retired employee with over 50 years of service, addressed the museum's public relations staff, expressing his profound disappointment and emphasizing the importance of preserving history in the face of attempts to suppress it.The museum's explanation centered around an unintended oversight, with Thomas, the NSA's executive director, stating that there was never any intention to conceal any part of their history. She admitted that the situation was challenging due to the influx of executive orders from the new administration, particularly those with tight deadlines. While the former NSA workers were relieved that the exhibits were restored, the incident left them deeply unsettled. Pfeiffer, who now works at George Mason University, believes that someone within the museum was pressured to cover up the plaques, fearing repercussions for not complying. He pointed to the inclusion of the word 'diversity' on one of the plaques as evidence of the climate of fear that has gripped Washington D.C., as the Trump administration targets federal agencies. Pfeiffer highlighted the administration's appointees who have openly stated their intention to traumatize the federal workforce, citing instances of employees being placed on administrative leave with the threat of dismissal. This episode, he argues, serves as a stark reminder of the need to protect the U.S. civil service from partisan influence. He urges individuals to take small, targeted actions to push back against this attack on the federal workforce, emphasizing that even focusing on one's area of expertise can make a difference. Thomas, meanwhile, sought understanding as her agency navigates the demands of the new administration and encouraged the public to visit the museum
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