WASHINGTON — Former US presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton have contributed essays about earlier presidents to a 250th-anniversary project that examines the nation’s presidential history while avoiding direct discussion of current President Donald Trump.
The “In Pursuit” project features essays from former presidents, first ladies, historians and authors about 43 presidents and 30 first ladies. Organizers instructed contributors to avoid partisan or ideological commentary as the series runs weekly through December.
Colleen Shogan, the former US archivist who curated the project before Trump dismissed her last year without explanation, said the series was intended to transcend current political debates.
Still, several essays address issues that resonate with debates during Trump’s presidency, including presidential power, democratic institutions and the peaceful transfer of power.
Bush wrote about George Washington and highlighted Washington’s decision to voluntarily leave office after two terms. Bush described Washington’s willingness to give up power as a significant example in American politics.
The essay has drawn attention as Trump has discussed the possibility of seeking a third presidential term despite the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two elected terms.
Clinton wrote about Republican President Theodore Roosevelt, focusing on his efforts to broaden political participation and challenge corporate interests while also noting Roosevelt’s exclusionary views toward Black and Indigenous people.
Obama wrote about Abraham Lincoln, while Hillary Clinton contributed an essay about Eleanor Roosevelt. Michelle Obama wrote about Jacqueline Kennedy.
Other contributors include filmmaker Ken Burns, who wrote about Franklin D. Roosevelt; historian Michael Beschloss, who examined Lyndon Johnson; and Republican strategist Karl Rove, who wrote about William McKinley.
Chief Justice John Roberts contributed an essay about William Howard Taft, the only person to serve as both US president and a Supreme Court justice.
Retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal wrote about Ulysses S. Grant and examined the relationship between political power and democratic institutions.
The project excluded Trump and former President Joe Biden as subjects because organizers considered their presidencies too recent for historical assessment.
McChrystal’s essay said the danger of leaders placing personal loyalty above institutions extends beyond Grant’s era and argued that the country’s future depends on leaders choosing the law over personal allegiance.
