The Trump administration is conducting a review of museums as the Smithsonian in order to ensure the exhibits are in line with President Trump’s order, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.”
In a letter to Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie Bunch, Domestic Policy Council’s Vince Haley, White House Senior Associate Staff Secretary Lindsey Halligan, and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, the officials wrote, “As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our Nation’s founding, it is more important than ever that our national museums reflect the unity, progress, and enduring values that define the American story. In this spirit, and in accordance with Executive Order 14253, Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History, we will be leading a comprehensive internal review of selected Smithsonian museums and exhibitions.”
“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,” they wrote, noting that the review will be a “constructive and collaborative effort” founded upon a “respect for the Smithsonian’s vital mission and its extraordinary contributions.”
Trump’s March executive order stated that the “Smithsonian Institution has, in recent years, come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology,” a shift that Trump said has “promoted narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.”
“To advance this policy, we will restore the Smithsonian Institution to its rightful place as a symbol of inspiration and American greatness –- igniting the imagination of young minds, honoring the richness of American history and innovation, and instilling pride in the hearts of all Americans,” the order read.
