A Long Island town that refuses to take down its school district’s controversial Native American mascot has been backed by President Donald Trump. 

The town of Massapequa in Nassau County is facing pressure to comply with New York’s mandate to eliminate all Indigenous references in sports teams and mascots.

Failure to remove its mascot, a depiction of a Native American man wearing a headdress, may result in the state cutting school funding to the town.

Former President Trump recently commented on the issue via Truth Social, criticizing the debate surrounding the district’s ‘Chiefs’ logo as ‘ridiculous’ and stating that changing it would be ‘an affront to our great Indian population’.

He then urged US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, to ‘fight for the people of Massapequa on this very important issue.’

On Friday, the Department of Education (DOE) announced it is launching an investigation to determine if education officials are discriminating against Massapequa by threatening to withhold funding for keeping the logo. 

The probe was sparked by a complaint from the Native American Guardian’s Association, a group that supports the ‘the beautiful artistry of native identifiers in sports and the mainstream.’

The nonprofit organization claimed holding back funding violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.  

The town of Massapequa in Nassau County has been resisting the New York statewide mandate to remove all Indigenous references in sports teams or mascots

Donald Trump urged US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, to ‘fight for the people of Massapequa on this very important issue’ (pictured: the town’s high school field) 

Title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1964 ‘prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance,’ according to the Department of Education (DOE). 

‘The US Department of Education will not stand by as the state of New York attempts to rewrite history and deny the town of Massapequa the right to celebrate its heritage in its schools,’ McMahon asserted in a statement. 

‘We will investigate this matter fully.’ 

Kerry Wachter, president of the Massapequa Board of Education, praised Trump and his administration for ‘standing with Massapequa in our effort to preserve the Chiefs name and honor our community’s proud history.’ 

The federal administration made this bold announcement as McMahon vowed to ‘take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the States,’ according to the White House. 

Yet, the New York State Education Department claimed they did not hear about the investigation until after it was publicly announced. 

A spokesperson for the department, JP O’Hare, told the Associated Press the US DOE’s statement about mascots is ‘inconsistent’ with previous sentiments shared by McMahon.

He directly cited her claim from last month about ‘sending education back to the states where it so rightly belongs.’

On Friday, the Department of Education (DOE) announced it is launching an investigation to determine if education officials are discriminating against Massapequa by threatening to withhold funding for keeping the logo (pictured: Trump and McMahon) 

Students have even painted a colorful mural with the logo and team name on a building next to the high school to protest changing their mascot

O’Hare added that Massapequa has already filed – and lost – a lawsuit on the mascot issue. 

Massapequa was one of four school districts on Long Island that filed a federal suit challenging the ban. But a judge dismissed the case last month. 

At the core of the debate is whether using Native American imagery is cultural appreciation or appropriation. Roughly 90 percent of Massapequa residents are white.

Adam Drexler, a member of the Chickasaw Nation who used to play high school hockey in Massapequa, faced this conflict every time he wore his jersey.

‘There was no tribe east of the Mississippi that ever wore a headdress – ever,’ Drexler, 60, explained. 

‘How can you argue for a symbol that has no significance or relevance here, while at the same time claiming you honor and respect the culture and history of the people this town is named after?’

The Chiefs logo is featured on signs around the high school, police and fire department buildings. 

Students have even painted a colorful mural with the logo and team name on a building next to the high school to protest changing their mascot.

The Chiefs logo is featured on signs adorning school, police and fire department buildings

Massapequa was one of four school districts on Long Island that filed a federal suit challenging the ban (pictured: Massapequa High School) 

‘When you think of Massapequa, you think of the Chiefs,’ high school sophomore Forrest Bennett, 15, told the Associated Press. 

‘It’s not that we’re trying to do anything disrespectful, Christina Zabbatino, a mother of two, said.

‘Actually, I would be honored if it was my face, you know what I mean?’

Local students and their parents argued they are honoring the Massapequa people, who were part of the broader Lenape people who inhabited the woods of the Northeastern US and Canada before colonization. 

But Joseph Pierce, director of Native American and Indigenous studies at Stony Brook University, has countered this perspective, claiming it is ignorant. 

‘It is as if this image were a shorthand for any and all Indians,’ Pierce, a member of the Cherokee Nation explained.

‘And that reduces us to a type, rather than portray us as distinct peoples.’