White House announces Smithsonian review amid Trump's cultural reckoning
The move is the latest in a sweeping effort by the Trump administration to overhaul how American history and culture is taught and presented in institutions across the country — from universities to museums to Washington's Kennedy Center for the performing arts.
The letter outlines that within 30 days, eight Smithsonian museums should select a representative to liaise with the administration and provide a list of selected materials for review.
Within 120 days, the museums will have a set window to institute any changes sought by the administration, 'replacing divisive or ideologically driven language with unifying, historically accurate, and constructive descriptions.'
Still, the administration officials maintained that their goal 'is not to interfere with the day-to-day operations of curators or staff, but rather to support a broader vision of excellence that highlights historically accurate, uplifting, and inclusive portrayals of America's heritage.'
The initial phase of the project will target the 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.
The administration officials said the museum network should promote the idea of 'Americanism — the people, principles, and progress that define our nation,' in order to 'renew the Smithsonian's role as the world's leading museum institution.'
'Phase II' of the review will involve an additional list of museums, the letter previewed.
A spokesperson for the Smithsonian did not respond to a request for comment.
Trump has specifically targeted the Smithsonian Institution, singling it out in a March executive order on 'restoring truth and sanity to American history.' The president railed against the network of museums, saying it had 'come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology' and its various branches 'portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.'
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