The review, according to the letter, aims to “remove the divisional or partisan narrative and restore confidence in shared cultural institutions.”
Trump’s issue orders to force museums to remove “inappropriate ideology”
President Donald Trump has issued an order that targets funding for programs that advance “schised narratives” and “inappropriate ideology” and attempts to force change at Smithsonian facilities.
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The Trump administration launched a “comprehensive” review of the Smithsonian agency, taking microscopes into the country’s finest museum system in a culture war campaign targeting major American agencies.
Executives wrote to Smithsonian Secretary Ronnie Bunch III on August 12, and announced that there would be a review to determine whether educational materials fit the Trump administration’s views on the history taught.
“This initiative aims to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and ensure alignment with the President’s order to restore confidence in shared cultural institutions,” the letter states.
This letter sets a timeline for the Smithsonian to flip and modify the material for review. Within 120 days, Smithsonian states that it is expected to “make content corrections as needed, replacing the language of division or ideology with uniformity, historically accurate, and constructive explanations.”
In a statement, the Smithsonian said he would “continue to work constructively with the White House.”
“The Smithsonian’s work is based on academic excellence, rigorous research and a deep commitment to accurate and de facto presentations of history. We review the letters with this commitment in mind,” the statement reads.
This review will focus on the Smithsonian exhibition, along with the process of creating them. It is expected to be completed early next year. This marks the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding.
The letter quotes the anniversary, saying, “As we prepare to celebrate… it is never important that our National Museum reflects the unity, progress and enduring values that define the story of Teemalica.”
Founded in 1846, Smithsonian is a public-private partnership established by Congress. It has 21 museums, 14 educational and research centres, and includes the National Zoo. According to the agency’s website, federal funds account for about 62% of the budget. This is governed by a committee of 17 members, including Vice President J.D. Vance, Supreme Court Justice John Roberts, six members of Congress and nine national members.
The Trump Administration review will initially focus on eight museums, including the Museum of American History, African American History, Culture and Natural History, and the American Indian Museum.
Trump’s second administration is characterized by institutions such as Harvard University, trapped in a legal battle with the administration, and by offensive culture war campaigns where he is trapped in the Kennedy Center where the president ordered his own chairman. Trump is also targeting diversity efforts and trans athletes.
The president laid the foundation for the Smithsonian Review in March with an executive order entitled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” The order includes a section called “Save the Smithsonian” which instructs Vance to cooperate with other administrators who “try to remove inappropriate ideologies from such properties.”
The executive order has been criticized by some historians who questioned whether it would allow history to be conveyed in a balanced and accurate way.
The Smithsonian recently removed references to Trump from the President’s exhibition on the blast each, but later recovered them.
