WASHINGTON — Among the sweeping changes made by the Trump Administration is the dissolution of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.
WHIAANHPI, established by President Joe Biden through Executive Order 14031 as amended by Executive Order 14109, was charged with coordinating a whole-of-government agenda to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for AA and NHPI communities.
A search for WHIAANHPI on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website leads to the following message: “Page not found.” The WHIAANHPI page on Facebook has been archived.
Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, said on Jan. 21, “I am disappointed that the new administration decided that it was an important Day 1 priority to dissolve the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.
“The White House Initiative has been critical to connecting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA & NHPI) communities to the federal government and has been a bipartisan institution across every administration for the last 25 years.
“CAPAC remains committed to working with any administration, from either party, to ensure AA & NHPI communities are engaged in the federal policymaking process and are not left behind.”
As the Biden Administration drew to a close, WHIAANHPI Executive Director Helen Hyunjung Beaudreau posted the following message: “As I conclude my time as executive director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, I want to share my deepest gratitude with all of you.
“Empowered by an ambitious, historic mandate set forth by President Biden’s Executive Order 14031, WHIAANHPI worked tirelessly to connect, celebrate and convene across the diversity of our communities.
“This work was only possible through partnerships — from the outstanding Co-Chairs HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and USTR (U.S. Trade Representative) Ambassador Katherine Tai; White House colleagues; the members of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders; federal interagency partners; the boundless dedication of the entire WHIAANHPI staff, interns, and volunteers — current and former, namely my predecessor Krystal Ka‘ai, and of course, the countless community leaders and allies across the nation.
“Under the Biden-Harris Administration, these partnerships advanced progress across the federal government to promote data disaggregation; improve language access; combat anti-Asian hate; and support the health, safety, and well-being of our communities. We also celebrated the generations of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AA and NHPIs) who have strengthened our nation and worked to share their stories with the depth and dignity they deserve.
“Last week, WHIAANHPI issued ‘Rising Together,’ our final report to President Joe Biden, to showcase the Biden-Harris Administration’s unprecedented investments in AA and NHPI communities.
“None of this progress would have been possible without you. It has been an incredible honor to work alongside you to help fulfill the promise of America for AA and NHPI families and communities.
“Although my chapter comes to an end, the work of this initiative must and will continue. With your dedication, courage, and resilience, we will carry forward the spirit of our mission to build a nation where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”