Ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary festivities, the Trump Administration wrote to The Smithsonian Institution on Tuesday, asking for a “comprehensive internal review” of eight of its institutions in order to align the institution with President Trump’s cultural directives.
“This initiative aims to ensure alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions,” the letter reads. It was signed by Russell Vought, Lindsey Halligan, and Vince Haley of the White House and appears on the White House website. The letter was sent to Lonnie Bunch, the secretary of the Smithsonian.
According to the White House, the process would be carried out in phases. National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of the American Indian, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden are among the eight museums that are part of the first phase.
Everything from the curatorial process and exhibition planning to exhibition texts and social media content will be analyzed during the process.
The letter lays out a comprehensive list of the documents that museums must submit for the White House appraisal, including visitor surveys, grant-related paperwork, and inventories of their permanent collections. It also establishes a timeframe with precise 30-, 75-, and 120-day deadlines for when the Trump Administration expects certain aspects of the review process to be finished.
“Within 120 days, museums should begin implementing content corrections where necessary, replacing divisive or ideologically driven language with unifying, historically accurate, and constructive descriptions across placards, wall didactics, digital displays, and other public-facing materials,” the letter reads.
At least one Smithsonian museum has already taken action to update content that is visible to the public. After reviewing the exhibit, the National Museum of American History deleted references to Trump’s two first-term impeachments earlier this month. A revised version of the display was later added by the museum.
Its work “is grounded in a deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and the accurate, factual presentation of history,” the Smithsonian said in a statement on Tuesday. We will continue to work constructively with the White House, Congress, and our governing Board of Regents, and we are examining the letter in light of this commitment.
The organization stated in a June statement that it is dedicated to making sure it stays “free from political or partisan influence.”
“The Board of Regents will continue its vigilant, independent oversight of the Smithsonian and its museums to protect their rigorous scholarship and expertise, nonpartisanship, and accuracy, and ensure that the Smithsonian is welcoming to all Americans,” said the press release.
The Smithsonian has been involved in a “culture war” ever since Trump became president.
The Smithsonian was specifically chastised by Trump’s March executive order “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History” for falling “under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology” and for spreading “narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.”
Trump declared in May that he was dismissing Kim Sajet, the director of the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian. Later, she quit on her own initiative.
After a dispute over her painting of a transgender lady with pink hair and a blue gown, holding a torch in the Statue of Liberty style, artist Amy Sherald canceled an impending exhibition of her work at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in late July.
According to Tuesday’s letter, the museum assessment is meant to be a “constructive and collaborative effort” and the White House would not “interfere with the day-to-day operations of curators or staff,” despite the requests for mountains of paperwork and interviews with Smithsonian museum employees. However, other analysts argue that the government has no right to meddle in the decisions and operations of museums.
“Museums cannot alter their content to fit a political agenda or whim,” said Lisa Strong, a Georgetown University art history professor. “Remaining independent is the best way for museums to preserve the high level of public confidence they currently enjoy. Experts in particular disciplines work in museums, interpreting the collection to help the general public learn about art, history, science, and culture. For political reasons, their substance shouldn’t be examined, changed, or amended.
The White House stated that it expects to finish its review process in early 2026, assuming compliance.
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