1. United States
2. Kan.
3. Letter

Many Federal officials in our state prioritize loyalty to Donald Trump over Democracy and the interests of the American people. State officials: Please help however you can! The Trump administration’s systematic erasure of data concerning LGBTQ+ individuals, Black Americans, and other marginalized groups is an affront to our nation’s core values. This deliberate purging mirrors tactics employed by authoritarian regimes to suppress dissent and manipulate public perception. In recent months, thousands of federal web pages have disappeared, stripping away vital information on diversity, science, and health resources. The Office of Personnel Management mandated all federal agencies to eliminate content promoting “gender ideology,” leading to the removal of crucial health data and guidelines from public access.   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has seen significant content removal, including pages addressing health disparities among LGBTQ+ youth and HIV information pertinent to transgender individuals. Such actions have left healthcare professionals without essential resources, hindering their ability to provide informed care. This purge extends beyond health data. The Department of Justice recently deleted a database detailing charges and convictions related to the January 6 Capitol attack, obscuring accountability for those involved in the insurrection. History warns us of the dangers inherent in such actions. Authoritarian leaders have long erased unfavorable data and marginalized communities to consolidate power. Systematically removing information is a tactic to rewrite history and suppress opposition. We must ask ourselves: How can we uphold democratic principles when our government actively censors essential information? How can we ensure justice and equality when data on marginalized communities is erased? Will we stand by as our nation edges toward autocracy? I implore you to confront these undemocratic practices. Demand transparency and the restoration of purged data. Protect the integrity of information that underpins our democracy. Our nation’s future hinges on our collective resolve to uphold truth and resist authoritarianism. We desperately rely on your oath to serve Democracy and the American people.