The American Historical Association joined a coalition including the ACLU and AAUP in calling on Governor Mike DeWine to reject Senate Bill 1, arguing that the ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs undermines academic freedom and promotes state-sponsored censorship.

The American Historical Association condemned the Trump administration's censorship measures—specifically the scrubbing of DEI content from government websites—as part of an effort to rewrite American history. This stance was reported amid broader controversy over an executive order targeting the Smithsonian's portrayal of diverse historical narratives.

AHA Executive Director James Grossman was quoted in a New York Times article about the executive order 'Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History', which targets the Smithsonian Institution by alleging it is influenced by a divisive, race-centered ideology. Grossman defended the Smithsonian, emphasizing its commitment to careful and honest historical scholarship.

AHA executive director James Grossman spoke on NPR's 'All Things Considered' refuting claims made in the executive order 'Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.' Grossman argued that the order misrepresents the work of the Smithsonian Institution, defending its integrity and academic mission against divisive, race-centered criticisms.

On March 13, 2025, the American Historical Association (AHA) and the Organization of American Historians (OAH) released a joint statement condemning recent federal efforts to censor historical content on government websites, museum exhibits, and other public resources. The statement criticizes the politically motivated revision of historical records, arguing that such censorship distorts the historical record and undermines democratic transparency and accountability.

The American Historical Association and the Organization of American Historians released a joint statement condemning the presidential executive order 'Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling.' The statement argues that the order grossly mischaracterizes history education by alleging ideological indoctrination, and emphasizes that thorough, evidence-based history teaching strengthens democratic participation and academic freedom.

On January 17, 2025, the American Historical Association’s top elected body vetoed a resolution that condemned alleged scholasticide in Gaza. The resolution, which attributed the destruction of Palestinian educational infrastructure to U.S. government funding of Israel, was rejected on the grounds that it fell outside the association’s constitutional mandate. This decision was made during the association’s annual convention via a vote conducted over Zoom.

At its annual meeting on January 6, 2025, members of the American Historical Association overwhelmingly passed a resolution condemning the systematic destruction of Gaza's educational infrastructure, attributing this to prolonged U.S.-backed Israeli military actions. The resolution, carried by a 428-88 vote, called for an immediate cease-fire and proposed forming a committee to help rebuild the education system in Gaza.

At its annual conference in January 2025, American Historical Association members voted overwhelmingly (428 to 88) to approve a resolution opposing 'scholasticide' in Gaza and the U.S. government's funding of Israel's war. The resolution, which calls for a ceasefire and the rebuilding of Gaza’s educational infrastructure, marks a significant stance in support of marginalized communities and against policies seen as contributing to authoritarian practices. The decision will now move to the association’s elected council for further action.

The American Historical Association (AHA) published an updated Statement on Standards of Professional Conduct that reaffirms its commitment to fairness, due process, and ethical practices in the historical profession. The document emphasizes equitable employment practices, academic freedom, and the importance of maintaining integrity in historical scholarship, aligning with principles that support anti-authoritarian and progressive values.

The American Historical Association issued a public statement in June 2020 calling for a reckoning with the United States' long history of racist violence, emphasizing the need to confront structural injustices and learn from history to build a more just society.