Removal of Report on Missing Native Americans Sparks Outrage

The Trump administration has removed the "Not One More" report from the Department of Justice (DOJ) website, which was mandated by the 2020 Not Invisible Act. This action has drawn significant criticism from U.S. Senators, particularly Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who have expressed outrage over the decision. The report was intended to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people, a situation described by the U.S. Department of Interior as a "national crisis."

Newsweek

The Not Invisible Act was passed to enhance the federal response to the alarming rates of violence against American Indian and Alaska Native individuals. A 2016 study by the National Institute of Justice indicated that 84.3% of American Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime. The act required the establishment of a commission to track data on missing and murdered Indigenous peoples and to provide recommendations for addressing the issue.

Newsweek

Cortez Masto's office reported that the removal of the report was in compliance with an executive order asserting that there are only two biological sexes. She emphasized that the issue transcends gender ideology, stating, "This is about keeping Tribal communities safe and providing Tribal leaders, service providers, and law enforcement with the tools they need." Murkowski also reached out to the administration, but the report remains unavailable on the DOJ's website. A DOJ spokesperson indicated that the report was removed to comply with the executive order, which mandates the elimination of communications that promote gender ideology.

Newsweek

Senator Cortez Masto characterized the removal as "outrageous" and an insult to Tribal communities, highlighting the report's importance in combating violence against Indigenous women and children. Senator Tina Smith, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, criticized the administration for failing to recognize the sovereignty of tribal nations, stating, "It’s just so offensive to see that the administration isn’t interested in understanding what’s causing this epidemic of violence."

Newsweek

While the DOJ claims that the report is still accessible through external websites, it is unclear where these links can be found. The administration has not provided a clear rationale for the removal beyond the executive order, and the specific implications of this order regarding the report remain ambiguous.

Newsweek

Despite the senators' appeals for the restoration of the report on the DOJ's website, there is currently no indication that the administration plans to reverse its decision. The ongoing dialogue among lawmakers suggests that this issue will continue to be a point of contention as they seek to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous peoples.

Newsweek