Three former U.S. presidents—George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton—have contributed essays to the In Pursuit project, a 250th-anniversary series examining U.S. presidents and first ladies. The project, curated by U.S. Archivist Colleen Shogan, explicitly instructed contributors to avoid partisan or ideological stances. Trump and Biden were excluded from the essays due to their recent presidencies, according to the series' organizers.
The essays, published chronologically and weekly through December, cover 43 presidents and 30 first ladies, excluding only Biden and Trump. While the project aims to transcend contemporary politics, some essays reflect broader concerns about presidential power, democratic integrity, and the exercise of authority—themes that have gained prominence during Trump’s tenure.
George W. Bush wrote an essay about another president named George, though the piece’s themes—including the importance of humility in leadership—have drawn comparisons to Trump’s refusal to concede the 2020 election and his discussions of a potential third term. Barack Obama and Bill Clinton similarly contributed essays without naming Trump, though their works touch on issues such as institutional norms and the balance of power.
The In Pursuit project was initiated by Shogan, who was fired by Trump last year without a public explanation. Shogan emphasized that contributors took her guidance to avoid partisanship seriously, stating the goal was for all Americans to "feel welcome to read these lessons and learn from them." The series is designed to "surface the lessons from the past 250 years of American history," allowing readers to "learn from both successes and failures" to inform the present and future.
The essays are being published weekly through December, with each entry focusing on a different president or first lady. The exclusion of Trump and Biden was framed as a deliberate choice to allow historical perspective, though it has drawn attention given the ongoing debates about Trump’s impact on democratic norms. Contributors were asked to focus on historical figures rather than contemporary politics, though some essays inevitably reflect the current political climate.
The project’s organizers have stated that the essays are intended to provide timeless lessons rather than immediate political commentary. However, the omission of Trump—particularly in essays addressing themes like the peaceful transfer of power—has led some observers to interpret the project as a subtle critique of recent political trends. Shogan reiterated that the goal was to "debrief the American story" without partisan influence, though the timing and selection of themes have sparked discussion.