Latest news with #DomesticPolicyCouncil
CNN
6 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
White House orders review of Smithsonian museums and exhibits to ensure alignment with Trump directive
The White House is conducting a comprehensive internal review of exhibits and materials at the Smithsonian Institution – the organization that runs the nation's major public museums – in an effort to comply with President Donald Trump's directive about what should and shouldn't be displayed. The initiative, a trio of top Trump aides wrote in a letter to Smithsonian Institution secretary Lonnie Bunch III, '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.' It marks the latest move by the Trump administration to impose the president's views on US cultural and historical institutions and purge materials focused on diversity. Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order accusing the Smithsonian Institution of having 'come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology' that has 'promoted narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.' Trump's action put Vice President JD Vance in charge of stopping government spending on 'exhibits or programs that degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy.' The letter released Tuesday — signed by Trump aides Lindsey Halligan, the senior associate staff secretary; Vince Haley, the Domestic Policy Council director; and Russell Vought, the Office of Management and Budget director — says the review will focus on public-facing content, the curatorial process to understand how work is selected for exhibit, current and future exhibition planning, the use of existing materials and collections, and guidelines for narrative standards. Eight key, Washington, DC-based Smithsonian museums will be part of the first phase of the review: the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Additional museums, the letter said, will be announced in a second phase. The Smithsonian said it was 'reviewing' the letter, telling CNN in a statement it planned to work 'constructively' with the White House. 'The Smithsonian's work is grounded in a deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and the accurate, factual presentation of history. We are reviewing the letter with this commitment in mind and will continue to collaborate constructively with the White House, Congress, and our governing Board of Regents,' the statement said. The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum complex, including 21 museums and the National Zoo. Nearly 17 million people visited Smithsonian properties last year, according to the museum's website. Admission at nearly all the museums is free. The Smithsonian began a review of its own in June, and has repeatedly stressed its commitment to being nonpartisan. The institution told CNN in July that it was committed to an 'unbiased presentation of facts and history' and that it would 'make any necessary changes to ensure our content meets our standards.' The letter calls on each museum to designate a point of contact to provide details on plans for programming to highlight the country's 250th anniversary. It also asks for a full catalog of all current and ongoing exhibitions and budgets, a list of all traveling exhibitions and plans for the next three years, and all internal guidelines, including staff manuals, job descriptions, and organizational charts, along with internal communications about exhibition artwork selection and approval. That material is due within 30 days, with 'on-site observational visits' and walkthroughs expected. Within 75 days, Trump administration officials will schedule and conduct 'voluntary interviews with curators and senior staff.' And 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.' Last month, the National Museum of American History removed a temporary placard referencing Trump's two impeachments from an exhibit related to the presidency, prompting public outcry against the museum and claims it was capitulating to Trump. In follow-up statements, the museum system insisted the placard's removal was temporary and denied it had been pressured by any government official to make changes to its exhibits. It was reinstalled days ago, with some changes. The exhibit now is set up in a way that places information about Trump's two impeachments in a lower spot, with some changes to the placard's text.
7NEWS
6 days ago
- Politics
- 7NEWS
White House orders review of Smithsonian museums and exhibits to make sure they align with Trump's vision
The White House is conducting a comprehensive internal review of exhibits and materials at the Smithsonian Institution — the organisation that runs the nation's major public museums — in an effort to comply with US President Donald Trump 's directive about what should and shouldn't be displayed. The initiative, a trio of top Trump aides wrote in a letter to Smithsonian Institution secretary Lonnie Bunch III, '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'. It marks the latest move by the Trump administration to impose the president's views on US cultural and historical institutions and purge materials focused on diversity. Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order accusing the Smithsonian Institution of having 'come under the influence of a divisive, face-centred ideology' that has 'promoted narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive'. Trump's action put Vice President JD Vance in charge of stopping government spending on 'exhibits or programs that degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy'. The letter released Tuesday — signed by Trump aides Lindsey Halligan, the senior associate staff secretary; Vince Haley, the Domestic Policy Council director; and Russell Vought, the Office of Management and Budget director — says the review will focus on public-facing content, the curatorial process to understand how work is selected for exhibit, current and future exhibition planning, the use of existing materials and collections, and guidelines for narrative standards. Eight key, Washington, DC-based Smithsonian museums will be part of the first phase of the review: the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Additional museums, the letter said, will be announced in a second phase. The Smithsonian said it was 'reviewing' the letter and planned to work 'constructively' with the White House. 'The Smithsonian's work is grounded in a deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and the accurate, factual presentation of history. We are reviewing the letter with this commitment in mind and will continue to collaborate constructively with the White House, Congress, and our governing Board of Regents,' the statement said. The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum complex, including 21 museums and the National Zoo. Nearly 17 million people visited Smithsonian properties last year, according to the museum's website. Admission at nearly all the museums is free. The Smithsonian began a review of its own in June, and has repeatedly stressed its commitment to being nonpartisan. The institution said in July that it was committed to an 'unbiased presentation of facts and history' and that it would 'make any necessary changes to ensure our content meets our standards.' The letter calls on each museum to designate a point of contact to provide details on plans for programming to highlight the country's 250th anniversary. It also asks for a full catalogue of all current and ongoing exhibitions and budgets, a list of all travelling exhibitions and plans for the next three years, and all internal guidelines, including staff manuals, job descriptions, and organisational charts, along with internal communications about exhibition artwork selection and approval. That material is due within 30 days, with 'on-site observational visits' and walkthroughs expected. Within 75 days, Trump administration officials will schedule and conduct 'voluntary interviews with curators and senior staff.' And 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'. Last month, the National Museum of American History removed a temporary placard referencing Trump's two impeachments from an exhibit related to the presidency, prompting public outcry against the museum and claims it was capitulating to Trump. In follow-up statements, the museum system insisted the placard's removal was temporary and denied it had been pressured by any government official to make changes to its exhibits. It was reinstalled days ago, with some changes. The exhibit now is set up in a way that places information about Trump's two impeachments in a lower spot, with some changes to the placard's text.
CNN
7 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
White House orders review of Smithsonian exhibits to ensure alignment with Trump directives
The White House is conducting a comprehensive internal review of exhibits and materials at the Smithsonian Institution – the organization that runs the nation's major public museums – in an effort to comply with President Donald Trump's directive about what should and shouldn't be displayed. The initiative, a trio of top Trump aides wrote in a letter to Smithsonian Institution secretary Lonnie Bunch III, '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.' It marks the latest move by the Trump administration to impose the president's views on US cultural and historical institutions and purge materials focused on diversity. The letter — signed by Trump aides Lindsey Halligan, the senior associate staff secretary; Vince Haley, the Domestic Policy Council director; and Russell Vought, the Office of Management and Budget director — says the review will focus on public-facing content, the curatorial process to understand how work is selected for exhibit, current and future exhibition planning, the use of existing materials and collections, and guidelines for narrative standards. Eight key, Washington, DC-based Smithsonian museums will be part of the first phase of the review: the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. It lays out a multi-step timeline with deadlines in 30, 75 and 120 days, with a final report expected in early 2026. CNN has reached out to the Smithsonian Institution for comment. This is a developing story and will be updated.
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What is IVF? Trump once called himself 'father of IVF,' but has not released coverage plan
Months after a deadline for policy recommendations to expand access to in vitro fertilization passed, the White House has not released any plans for the fertility treatment. In February, Trump signed an executive order directing policy advisers to make recommendations on how to lower costs for IVF after promising to do so on the campaign trail. The order gave the Domestic Policy Council 90 days to do so, making the deadline May 19, according to CBS News. On Aug. 3, the Washington Post reported that anonymous sources said the White House currently has no plan to provide or require coverage. Trump once called himself the "father of IVF" during the campaign as he pledged to find ways to cover the cost of the treatment, either through government coverage or through a mandate on insurance companies. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for an update on the possible policy plans. More: The White House wants women to have more babies. They're ignoring part of the problem − men What is IVF? IVF is the process of combining a sperm and egg in a laboratory and transferring them to a uterus, commonly used to aid conception for someone with fertility issues. Advocates for the treatment were worried that access to the treatment could come under threat after the Dobbs decision in June 2022. That fear was somewhat realized in February 2024 when the Alabama Supreme Court decided embryos had the legal status of children in a landmark case. The Alabama legislature later passed a bill to protect IVF patients and providers. Why is IVF controversial? Approximately 2% of births in the U.S. each year come from IVF pregnancies, and it can be a life-changing procedure for people experiencing infertility who want to start a family. But the procedure is opposed by some religious groups, many conservative Christians, who argue that life begins the moment an egg is fertilized and that humans should leave procreation to God, not science. When the first IVF baby was born in 1979, a coalition of anti-abortion groups spoke out against the procedure. But that was after the Roe v. Wade decision, so embryos were treated as private property that the respective egg and sperm donors could decide if they wanted to implant, destroy or pass on the embryo without consequence. What has Trump said about IVF in the past? Trump has long supported IVF, but surprised many conservatives on the campaign trail when he promised to require insurance companies or the government to cover costs associated with IVF. 'Under the Trump administration, your government will pay for – or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for – all costs associated with IVF treatment," Trump said at an event in August 2024. 'We want more babies, to put it very nicely.' At a Fox News town hall in October, Trump called himself the "father of IVF," while promising coverage for the procedure, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Upon returning to the White House, Trump issued an executive order in February directing his policy advisers to make recommendations on how to lower the costs of the procedure. The order he signed had no immediate impact on the cost or access of the treatment. 'I've been saying we are going to do what we have to do and I think the women and families, husbands, are very appreciative of it,' Trump said of the order from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Contributing: Jessica Guynn, Bailey Schulz, Adrianna Rodriguez, Liam Adams, John Kennedy, Trevor Hughes, Riley Beggin, USA TODAY NETWORK Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@ Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is IVF? Deadline for Trump's coverage plans passed months ago
USA Today
05-08-2025
- Health
- USA Today
What is IVF? Trump once called himself 'father of IVF,' but has not released coverage plan
Months after a deadline for policy recommendations to expand access to in vitro fertilization passed, the White House has not released any plans for the fertility treatment. In February, Trump signed an executive order directing policy advisers to make recommendations on how to lower costs for IVF after promising to do so on the campaign trail. The order gave the Domestic Policy Council 90 days to do so, making the deadline May 19, according to CBS News. On Aug. 3, the Washington Post reported that anonymous sources said the White House currently has no plan to provide or require coverage. Trump once called himself the "father of IVF" during the campaign as he pledged to find ways to cover the cost of the treatment, either through government coverage or through a mandate on insurance companies. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for an update on the possible policy plans. More: The White House wants women to have more babies. They're ignoring part of the problem − men What is IVF? IVF is the process of combining a sperm and egg in a laboratory and transferring them to a uterus, commonly used to aid conception for someone with fertility issues. Advocates for the treatment were worried that access to the treatment could come under threat after the Dobbs decision in June 2022. That fear was somewhat realized in February 2024 when the Alabama Supreme Court decided embryos had the legal status of children in a landmark case. The Alabama legislature later passed a bill to protect IVF patients and providers. Why is IVF controversial? Approximately 2% of births in the U.S. each year come from IVF pregnancies, and it can be a life-changing procedure for people experiencing infertility who want to start a family. But the procedure is opposed by some religious groups, many conservative Christians, who argue that life begins the moment an egg is fertilized and that humans should leave procreation to God, not science. When the first IVF baby was born in 1979, a coalition of anti-abortion groups spoke out against the procedure. But that was after the Roe v. Wade decision, so embryos were treated as private property that the respective egg and sperm donors could decide if they wanted to implant, destroy or pass on the embryo without consequence. What has Trump said about IVF in the past? Trump has long supported IVF, but surprised many conservatives on the campaign trail when he promised to require insurance companies or the government to cover costs associated with IVF. 'Under the Trump administration, your government will pay for – or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for – all costs associated with IVF treatment," Trump said at an event in August 2024. 'We want more babies, to put it very nicely.' At a Fox News town hall in October, Trump called himself the "father of IVF," while promising coverage for the procedure, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Upon returning to the White House, Trump issued an executive order in February directing his policy advisers to make recommendations on how to lower the costs of the procedure. The order he signed had no immediate impact on the cost or access of the treatment. 'I've been saying we are going to do what we have to do and I think the women and families, husbands, are very appreciative of it,' Trump said of the order from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Contributing: Jessica Guynn, Bailey Schulz, Adrianna Rodriguez, Liam Adams, John Kennedy, Trevor Hughes, Riley Beggin, USA TODAY NETWORK Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@ Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @
