Smithsonian denies removing artifacts from African American history museum
The Smithsonian is pushing back against allegations that some artifacts are being removed from the National Museum of African American History and Culture following President Trump's executive order to purge "improper ideology" from the broader institution.
The big picture: Alarm bells are ringing at museums and other institutions across D.C. amid Trump's DEI purge, sparking fears of historical and cultural erasure.
The purge has already led to the closure of the Smithsonian's diversity office, the removal of historical facts from government sites, and the takeover of the Kennedy Center, which will no longer host World Pride events.
State of play: Civil rights leaders and museum insiders are raising concerns that some artifacts are being "quietly removed," according to multiple reports. Items cited include a Bible used in civil rights demonstrations belonging to pastor Rev. Amos Brown, and historical books.
Brown says the Smithsonian recently informed him they would return the items, despite his wish for donation.
The Smithsonian said in a statement Monday that returning artifacts is standard under loan agreements. The Bible's loan agreement expires in May, a spokesperson for the institution told NBC 4.
Smithsonian leaders emphasize that the institution rotates items to ensure preservation and exhibit variety.
Any suggestion of alternative motives beyond that is false, the statement says.
Meanwhile, the Smithsonian is denying the removal of other artifacts, including the historic Greensboro sit-in lunch counter and a stool.
The counter is on display at the National Museum of American History, and the stool is the centerpiece of an exhibit at the African American history museum.
"Suggestions that the Smithsonian had planned or intended to remove these items are false," reads the statement.
Between the lines: In his Smithsonian executive order, Trump alleges a "concerted and widespread effort" to "rewrite" U.S. history over the past decade.
He pledges to prohibit funding for exhibits and programs that "degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race" or promote ideologies he deems "inconsistent" with federal policy.
The order specifically cites the African American History museum as one of several promoting "divisive, race-centered ideology."
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