Imagine logging onto a familiar government website, only to find a big, bold “404 Error.” That’s exactly what happened to several federal websites and pages after President Donald Trump took office. Among the affected sites were pages dedicated to hot-button issues like reproductive rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and even Spanish-language content. So, what’s going on? Let’s break it down.
La Casa Blanca Goes Offline
One of the first noticeable changes was the disappearance of the Spanish-language White House website, La Casa Blanca. Visitors looking for the site were met with a 404 error page that initially said “Go Home” (later updated to “Go To Home Page”).
A White House spokesperson assured the public that the Spanish version would return, saying, “The administration is committed to bringing back the Spanish translation section of the website.” However, it’s worth noting that similar delays occurred during both Obama’s and Trump’s first terms.
Reproductive Rights Website: Vanished
If you tried accessing Reproductiverights.gov, you were out of luck—it was showing an error message. This site, launched in 2022 during Biden’s administration, offered critical information about birth control, abortion, and preventive health services like cancer screenings.
Why did it disappear? The White House hasn’t offered an explanation. For now, archived versions of the site are the only way to view its previous content.
DEI Pages Scrubbed from Federal Agencies
DEI-related pages (those focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion) were also removed from various federal agency websites. This followed a direct memo from Trump, instructing agencies to not only dismantle DEI programs but also remove all related public-facing content by a set deadline.
In a speech at the World Economic Forum, Trump doubled down on his stance, saying, “My administration has taken action to abolish all discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion nonsense.”
Constitution and Biographies Pages Go Missing
Even foundational pages like those about the Constitution and Presidential biographies returned 404 errors. A White House representative clarified that these weren’t permanent removals but temporary lapses during the website’s overhaul.
“It’s day two. We’re still fine-tuning the White House website and reloading archived content,” explained Harrison Fields, the principal White House deputy press secretary.
Gun Violence Prevention Office Page Disappears
Another head-turner was the disappearance of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention page. Advocacy groups like Brady expressed alarm, while members of Congress such as New York Rep. Tim Kennedy voiced concerns. On the flip side, the NRA applauded the change, labeling the office as “misleading.”
As of now, there’s been no official word from the White House on the status of this office or its webpage.
What’s Next?
The White House has attributed many of these website outages to the transition process, with promises that certain pages will be restored. However, the removals—temporary or not—underscore the broader political shifts and priorities of a new administration.
Whether these pages return or remain in the archives, one thing is clear: every click on a 404 error tells its own story.
