Websites are one thing, but if a source speaking to reporter Kenneth Walsh is to be believed, Donald Trump has already taken action to shutter the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP).
As Walsh reports on his blog, Kenneth in the 212:
“…a source in the HIV/AIDS research community tells me Trump has already closed the Office of National AIDS Policy, whose page has also been disabled. Revisionist LGBT activists should note the office was formed in 1993 — during the Clinton administration at the height of the plague — to coordinate government efforts to reduce the number of HIV infections in the United States.”
Indeed, if you try to access the web address associated with ONAP, this page comes up:
Many have noted that the website issues might be chalked up to expected transition messiness, but that doesn’t explain why some pages have remained intact or are brand new, while others are gone completely.
The director of ONAP under President Obama, Amy Lansky, tweeted a series of final farewells from her whole staff on Jan. 4:
On behalf of 8 years of ONAP, thank you to everyone who supported us. Our accomplishments are because of you.https://t.co/ClQyf6HAuu
— Amy Lansky (NARA) (@Amy44) January 4, 2017
Today is ONAP staff’s last day in the office. As such, this twitter account will end. Please continue to follow @AIDSgov for updates.
— Amy Lansky (NARA) (@Amy44) January 4, 2017
It’s been the greatest honor to work with my remarkable colleagues for @POTUS and the American people. Thank you for your work. Onward!
— Amy Lansky (NARA) (@Amy44) January 4, 2017
When reached for comment, Lansky told Walsh, “I have no information on what the Trump administration may or may not do with regards to ONAP.”
Like countless other pressing issues associated with Trump’s ascent to power, we’ll have to wait to find out ONAP’s fate for certain.
But it’s not exactly looking good.
Shannon1981
This is a clear, open, and deliberate assault on anything and everything meant to help our community.
ErikO
If you really actually believe this then you should know that the Obama administration removed the HIV/AIDS website from the white house website and the LGBT page, as the exiting President and his administration deletes websites from the white house website.
Shannon1981
ErikO – not true. Where do you get your information?
Kangol
And this is only the beginning! He also pulled down the page on LGBTQ Equality, and Civil Rights, etc. His gay apologists are probably cheering too.
Shannon1981
They do not care about run of the mill gays. They care about money.
ErikO
Actually Donald Trump and his administration did not do this. The Obama administration removed the LGBT page, and the HIV/AIDS page as the former President does this when leaving office.
Brian
We don’t need an AIDS office.
MaxTaste
We don’t really need you, either, but we’re stuck with you.
He BGB
Well considering how Mr. Pence ignored the AIDS epidemic in his state and how Mr Trump is letting Pence do all the work while Trump struts preens and crows for attention, is anyone surprised?
James Hart
So what. That office belongs at HHS anyway.
JONH HENRY
HELLO