Rep. Wesley Hunt, a Republican from Texas, recently spoke out in favor of reinstating the name of Confederate General Robert E. Lee at Fort Gregg-Adams. This follows the Biden administration’s decision to remove Lee’s name in 2023. During a discussion on HBO’s “Real Time,” Hunt emphasized the importance of acknowledging our nation’s history, stating that keeping monuments and names associated with Confederate leaders serves as a “reminder of what was.” He warned that if we erase this history, we risk repeating past mistakes.
Hunt shared a personal experience, recalling his time at West Point where he lived in the Robert E. Lee Barracks. He expressed pride in his journey, noting how it symbolizes the unique opportunities available in America. “Only in America can someone like me walk into a building named after a Confederate general and then be a successful West Point graduate,” he remarked.
Addressing the idea of renaming buildings, he suggested that if we start down that path, every place could end up named after perfection—citing Jesus Christ—indicating the absurdity of trying to erase history altogether.
He also highlighted the progress America has made, reflecting on his own family life as a husband of a white woman and a father to three biracial children, which showcases the change since the times of historical figures like Lee. Hunt expressed excitement about showing his children places that reflect this progress and how things were not always as they are today.
Hunt firmly believes that historical statues and names should remain in place as a testament to our past. “We are doomed to repeat it if we do not remember it,” he concluded, urging viewers to recognize the lessons history teaches us rather than erase it. This sentiment resonated during his exchange with Maher, who acknowledged the importance of historical context in these discussions.
