Trump’s Campaign to Transform the Smithsonian

The White House has released a report criticizing the leadership of the Smithsonian Institution, particularly at the National Museum of American History, branding them as radical activists. This indicates that President Donald Trump may consider replacing them with his team.

The report, delivered by the White House Domestic Policy Council, comes as part of Trump’s larger campaign to overhaul some of Washington’s revered cultural and historic institutions. In March, Trump revealed plans to revise the Smithsonian through an executive order aimed at cutting funding for programs that promote what he terms ‘divisive narratives’ and ‘improper ideology.’

The Smithsonian Institution, and the National Museum of American History in particular, under its current leadership and current interpretive ideology, cannot be trusted to tell America’s story honestly and in a way that is inspiring, unifying, and worthy of our great republic.

This report, guided by a former top Trump speechwriter, claims the Smithsonian’s mission has shifted from historical education to political activism. The authors argue that this shift undermines the institution’s credibility.

The Smithsonian has yet to provide a comment. Lonnie Bunch, the current secretary of the Smithsonian and its first African American leader, emphasized the importance of making American history meaningful to diverse audiences during a televised interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

Anthea M. Hartig currently serves as the director of the National Museum of American History. She is notable for being the first woman in this position.

Trump’s efforts to change the Smithsonian reflect his broader agenda of realigning cultural institutions with conservative values. He previously attempted similar changes at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and pressured Columbia University into policy revisions.

Beyond Washington, Trump’s administration influenced historical sites like the one in Philadelphia, reinstating interpretive panels on President George Washington’s home despite criticism of whitewashing slavery’s history.

Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania has accused Trump of trying to rewrite history, insisting on the necessity of presenting a comprehensive historical narrative.

The Domestic Policy Council’s report argues for restoring ‘truth and sanity’ to how American history is presented, criticizing the museum for undermining faith in American institutions.