Trump vows to change Army base name to honor Confederate general
Fort Liberty, which was formerly called Fort Bragg, underwent a name change in 2022 as part of a broader initiative by the Army to rebrand installations that commemorate Confederate soldiers.
TroibNews 
Donald Trump has announced that if he is reelected, North Carolina’s Fort Liberty will revert back to its original name of Fort Bragg. This statement comes less than two years after the base was renamed to eliminate the association with a Confederate general, a move aimed at addressing the legacy of racism.
During a town hall meeting on Friday in Fayetteville, which hosts many troops and veterans, Trump expressed his commitment to restoring Fort Bragg’s name. He remarked, “I think I just learned the secret to winning absolutely and by massive margins. I’m going to promise to you … that we’re going to change the name back to Fort Bragg,” following a question about missile defense posed by a man identifying as an active duty soldier stationed at the base.
The military's decision to rename nine installations, including Fort Bragg, was part of a congressionally mandated initiative in 2021 to remove the names of Confederate figures. This action was prompted by widespread social justice protests that arose following George Floyd's murder by police in Minneapolis.
Fort Bragg was named after Gen. Braxton Bragg, a Confederate general who also owned enslaved people and had a reputation for military failures. According to the Department of Defense, many Southern bases were named for Confederate leaders to garner support for the war during World War I.
During his presidency, Trump vetoed a bipartisan military spending bill, partly because it proposed changing the names of Fort Bragg and eight other bases. Congress ultimately overrode the veto, and Fort Liberty was designated as part of a recommendation from a commission after a public comment period.
In addition to Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have also suggested reinstating the name Fort Bragg during the Republican primary.
Trump further promised to implement other changes in the military if he returns to office, stating, “We have a great military, and we have a military that’s not woke. You may have a few people at the top who are woke, and we’re going to get rid of them so damn fast your head is gonna spin.”
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
During a town hall meeting on Friday in Fayetteville, which hosts many troops and veterans, Trump expressed his commitment to restoring Fort Bragg’s name. He remarked, “I think I just learned the secret to winning absolutely and by massive margins. I’m going to promise to you … that we’re going to change the name back to Fort Bragg,” following a question about missile defense posed by a man identifying as an active duty soldier stationed at the base.
The military's decision to rename nine installations, including Fort Bragg, was part of a congressionally mandated initiative in 2021 to remove the names of Confederate figures. This action was prompted by widespread social justice protests that arose following George Floyd's murder by police in Minneapolis.
Fort Bragg was named after Gen. Braxton Bragg, a Confederate general who also owned enslaved people and had a reputation for military failures. According to the Department of Defense, many Southern bases were named for Confederate leaders to garner support for the war during World War I.
During his presidency, Trump vetoed a bipartisan military spending bill, partly because it proposed changing the names of Fort Bragg and eight other bases. Congress ultimately overrode the veto, and Fort Liberty was designated as part of a recommendation from a commission after a public comment period.
In addition to Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have also suggested reinstating the name Fort Bragg during the Republican primary.
Trump further promised to implement other changes in the military if he returns to office, stating, “We have a great military, and we have a military that’s not woke. You may have a few people at the top who are woke, and we’re going to get rid of them so damn fast your head is gonna spin.”
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
