Former presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama have contributed essays to a 250th-anniversary project focusing on U.S. presidents and first ladies, a series where Donald Trump is conspicuously absent but implicitly present.
The "In Pursuit" project, curated by Archivist of the United States Colleen Shogan, tasked writers with creating essays on presidential and first lady history. Shogan instructed contributors to remain non-partisan and non-ideological. "Everybody took those instructions and that guidance very seriously," Shogan told The Associated Press, emphasizing the project's aim for all Americans to "feel welcome to be able to read these lessons and essays and learn something from them."
The collection features essays on 43 presidents and 30 first ladies. Presidents Trump and Joe Biden were excluded, with organizers deeming their presidencies too recent for historical appraisal, a decision that may also have tempered immediate political passions.
Reflections on Power and Principles
George W. Bush's essay, which focused on George Washington, has drawn attention for its implicit commentary on the use of presidential power. Bush highlights Washington's "heroism of humility" and his voluntary relinquishment of power, setting a precedent for term limits. "Our first president could have remained all-powerful, but twice he chose not to. In so doing, he set a standard for all presidents to live up to," Bush wrote. He described Washington's willingness to cede power as "among the most consequential decisions and important examples in American politics."
Retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal's essay on Ulysses S. Grant also resonates with contemporary issues. McChrystal portrays Grant as a leader committed to principles above personal ambition, who resisted pressure to align military leaders with political factions or individuals over the Constitution. This emphasis on "law over loyalty" provides a counterpoint to the demands for fealty that have characterized the Trump administration. "The temptation to bend institutions toward personal power is not unique to Grant’s era," McChrystal noted. "Our future still depends on whether our leaders choose law over loyalty."
Bill Clinton's recent contribution focuses on Theodore Roosevelt, examining his efforts to expand the concept of "we the people" against powerful corporate interests, while also acknowledging Roosevelt's exclusionary views. The essays generally explore both the accomplishments and failures of presidents, a contrast to calls for a purely patriotic interpretation of American history.
Project Goals and Administration
The "In Pursuit" project is organized by More Perfect, a nonpartisan alliance of presidential centers, academics, and organizations dedicated to advancing democracy. Colleen Shogan, who leads the project, was dismissed from her role as U.S. Archivist without explanation by the Trump administration in February 2025. The reasons for her dismissal have not been disclosed, and Congress has not been formally notified, despite legal requirements.
Shogan described her role as Archivist as one that "used to be a nonpartisan position" and stated that she conducted her duties in a nonpartisan manner. The White House has not responded to inquiries about the reason for her termination.
Despite the political undertones that the essays' themes may evoke, Shogan stated she has been "overwhelmed" by the public response, interpreting it as a sign of a "hunger for history shorn of partisanship." The series has garnered over one million cumulative views on Substack, with its accompanying podcast and YouTube channel also registering significant engagement. A documentary about the series is slated for broadcast on PBS in October.
Contributors to the "In Pursuit" project include Chief Justice John Roberts (writing on William Howard Taft), Hillary Clinton (on Eleanor Roosevelt), Michelle Obama (on Jacqueline Kennedy), Karl Rove (on William McKinley), Ken Burns (on Franklin D. Roosevelt), and historian Michael Beschloss (on Lyndon B. Johnson). Barack Obama contributed an essay on Abraham Lincoln.