Latest news with #Impeachment
USA Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Smithsonian puts Trump's name back in museum's impeachment display
The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History has re-added references to President Donald Trump after removing them from a presidential impeachment display in late July. First reported by The Washington Post on July 31, changes to "The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden" entailed the total removal of what the museum called a temporary placard briefly covering Trump's two impeachments in 2019 and 2021. A more permanent display about the current president has since been added, as have artifacts from the proceedings. Some text was changed between displays, specifically concerning Trump's involvement with the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol and accusations of election interference. More: Smithsonian explains why a Trump reference was removed from impeachment exhibit Smithsonian was 'not asked by any Administration' to change exhibit The previous, temporary Trump plaque, which was added in 2021, was taken out in July to return the display to how it appeared nearly 20 years ago in 2008, according to a Smithsonian statement shared with USA TODAY on Aug. 1. The Washington Post also noted that the exhibit said that "only three presidents have seriously faced removal," meaning Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon. The change was made because it "did not meet the museum's standards in appearance," the Smithsonian Institute said in an Aug. 2 statement, adding that it blocked the view of other objects inside the case. "We were not asked by any Administration or other government official to remove content from the exhibit," it said, telling USA TODAY in a separate statement that, "A future and updated exhibit will include all impeachments," noting that updating and renewing permanent galleries "requires a significant amount of time and funding." The museum unveiled an updated exhibit on Aug. 8. "At the heart of the Smithsonian's work is a steadfast commitment to scholarship, rigorous research, and the accurate, factual presentation of history," the institute said in a statement shared with USA TODAY on Monday, Aug. 11. "The National Museum of American History has completed its update to the Impeachment case within 'The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden' exhibition. The updated display now reflects all presidential impeachments." Trump added back to impeachment display In September 2021, a "temporary label on content concerning the impeachments of Donald J. Trump" was added, according to the Smithsonian. From September 2021 to July 2025, a large placard was suspended at the forefront of the display with the title, "Case under redesign ('history happens')." It mentioned the impeachment proceedings brought against Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon, who resigned before he could be formally impeached, as well as Trump. Behind it were more permanent sections about Johnson's impeachment, including tickets and newspaper clips from the time; Nixon's Senate hearing and resignation, including testimony papers, a filing cabinet and photos from the proceedings; and Clinton's trial, with tickets and Senate question cards. From late July to the exhibit reopening on Aug. 8, the removal of the placard meant there were no references to Trump, who is the first and only president in American history to be impeached twice. Now, Trump occupies a smaller placard at the bottom of the display case, which also includes 2019 and 2021 tickets to the impeachment proceedings acquired in June 2025, the Smithsonian said in a statement shared with USA TODAY. Changes to text describing Trump impeachments Changes were also made to the text describing the Trump proceedings, as reported by the Post and The New York Times and confirmed via photos by USA TODAY. The word "alleged" was added to the text about Trump's 2020 impeachment trial, changing the sentence, "The charges focused on the president's solicitation of foreign interference in the 2020 presidential election...." to, "The charges focused on the president's alleged solicitation of foreign interference in the 2020 presidential election and defiance of Congressional subpoenas. Trump was acquitted in January 2020." More significant changes were made to the description of the second 2021 impeachment. Specifically, the phrases "repeated 'false statements'" and "'encouraged — and foreseeably resulted in — imminent lawless action at the Capitol'" were removed when discussing Trump's involvement in Jan. 6. Previously, the placard read: "On January 13, 2021, Donald Trump became the first president to be impeached twice. The charge was incitement of insurrection, based on repeated 'false statements' challenging the 2020 election results and his January 6 speech that 'encouraged — and foreseeably resulted in — imminent lawless action at the Capitol.' Because Trump's term ended on January 20, his acquittal on February 13 made him the first former president tried by the Senate." Now, it reads: "On January 13, 2021, Donald Trump became the first president to be impeached twice. The charge was incitement of insurrection based on his challenge of the 2020 election results and on his speech on January 6. Because Trump's term ended on January 20, he became the first former president tried by the Senate. He was acquitted on February 13, 2021.' The Smithsonian declined to clarify the reason behind these changes. "Adhering to principles foundational to our role as the nation's museum, we take great care to ensure that what we present to the public reflects both intellectual integrity and thoughtful design," it said in its Aug. 11 statement. The controversy surrounding the Smithsonian's change to the display came after the White House in May pushed for the removal of art director Kim Sajet from her role as director of the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, citing her "strong support" of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). In March, Trump also signed an executive order demanding the removal of "anti-American ideology" from the Smithsonian and other cultural institutions and tasked a White House official, Lindsey Halligan, with scrutinizing "improper ideology" at said institutions.
Yomiuri Shimbun
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Smithsonian Restores Trump to Impeachment Display in American History Museum
The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History on Friday unveiled an updated impeachment display that now includes context about President Donald Trump's historic cases – a change the institution made a week after The Washington Post reported that a temporary placard containing his name had been removed from the exhibit as part of a Smithsonian content review prompted by White House pressure to oust a museum director. The new text makes minor changes to – and offers slightly fewer details than – the temporary signage. 'The National Museum of American History has completed its update to the Impeachment case within 'The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden' exhibition,' the Smithsonian said in a statement on Friday. 'The updated display now reflects all presidential impeachments. Adhering to principles foundational to our role as the nation's museum, we take great care to ensure that what we present to the public reflects both intellectual integrity and thoughtful design.' The statement said that the interim sign, which had been in place from September 2021 until this July, was removed because it was not consistent with other sections of the exhibit and blocked the display case. 'We removed it to make way for a more permanent update to the content inside the case,' the Smithsonian said. The removal drew swift outcry from some members of the public as well as several Democratic leaders. The Smithsonian Institution has faced growing concerns about political interference at the education and research complex amid the Trump administration's efforts to exert more control over its work. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer called the removal 'pathetic' during Senate floor remarks last week. 'You can't make this up,' he said. 'This is a man rewriting history – or thinking he can rewrite history. He can't, but he thinks he can.' The Smithsonian said last week that no government official asked them to remove content from the exhibit. It also said that no other changes had been made at the museum. In a statement, Lindsey Halligan, a White House official charged with scrutinizing 'improper ideology' at the Smithsonian, reiterated that the White House wasn't involved with the revision. 'That said, it's encouraging to see the institution taking steps that align with President Trump's Executive Order to restore truth to American History. As part of that truth, it's important to note that President Trump was acquitted twice by Senate, fully and on every count – a fact that belongs in the historical record.' Some edits to the display's text are evident, including the addition of the word 'alleged' in the placard's description of the conduct that led to Trump's first impeachment. The display's main panel was also updated to reflect include Trump's name alongside Andrew Johnson, Richard M. Nixon and Bill Clinton. Of Trump's first impeachment, the impeachment display now reads: 'On December 18, 2019, the House impeached Donald Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The charges focused on the president's alleged solicitation of foreign interference in the 2020 presidential election and defiance of Congressional subpoenas. Trump was acquitted in January 2020.' The temporary placard had read: 'On December 18, 2019, the House impeached Donald Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The charges focused on the president's solicitation of foreign interference in the 2020 presidential election and his defiance of Congressional subpoenas. President Trump was acquitted in January 2020.' Trump is the only president to have been impeached twice. In 2019, he was charged by the House with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress for his attempts to withhold military aid meant for Ukraine and pressure its government to investigate his political rival Biden. He was acquitted by the Senate in 2020. Then, just over a year later, Trump was impeached again, on a charge of incitement of insurrection following the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. He was acquitted a second time, after leaving office. Of his second impeachment, the display reads: 'On January 13, 2021, Donald Trump became the first president to be impeached twice. The charge was incitement of insurrection based on his challenge of the 2020 election results and on his speech on January 6. Because Trump's term ended on January 20, he became the first former president tried by the Senate. He was acquitted on February 13, 2021.' The temporary placard had read: 'On January 13, 2021, Donald Trump became the first president to be impeached twice. The charge was incitement of insurrection, based on repeated 'false statements' challenging the 2020 election results and his January 6 speech that 'encouraged – and foreseeably resulted in – imminent lawless action at the Capitol.' Because Trump's term ended on January 20, his acquittal on February 13 made him the first former president tried by the Senate.' Since returning to the White House in January for his second term, Trump has attempted to exert influence over prominent cultural institutions, including by taking over the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, making drastic changes at the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities and imposing budget cuts on the National Park Service. In March, Trump signed an executive order to eliminate 'divisive narratives' across the Smithsonian museums and 'restore the Smithsonian Institution to its rightful place as a symbol of inspiration and American greatness.' Months later, he attempted to fire Kim Sajet, the director of the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, for being a 'highly partisan' person – though he had no authority to do so. The White House provided a list of 17 instances it said supported the president's claims about her, including the caption for the museum's presidential portrait of Trump mentioning his two impeachments and 'incitement of insurrection.' Early Friday afternoon in the 'American Presidency' exhibition, visitors milled about the display case. Some had been aware of the Trump text's removal. 'I heard it was taken out, and I came here to see it,' said Jodi Lindstrom, 49, visiting from Minneapolis. 'I don't think it's a good idea for the president to have a say over what is history. … You can't erase it. It's what happened. So I'm very happy to see it back in.' Following The Post's reporting about the change, the Smithsonian said it would restore Trump to the impeachment display 'in the coming weeks.' 'It does say four now,' said Ed Burk, 75, of Washington, D.C., leaning in to examine the display. But he wasn't satisfied by the alterations. 'Clinton gets a little more attention. Why not something as big for Donald Trump?' Mindy Kiser, 52, visiting from Wichita, had not previously heard about the exhibition's alterations. 'It's disappointing to know that the museum may have caved to outside influences but also reassuring to know that they did the right thing and restored whatever they took away,' Kiser said. Her eyes lingered on the other items in the display case, and then the Trump text, displayed low with two small artifacts: admission to the Senate gallery for impeachment proceedings. 'The fact that he's been impeached twice, it does seem to be a little bit smaller, in my opinion,' she said. But 'in these days, we should just be happy that it's represented at all.'
Miami Herald
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Smithsonian Issues Update on Trump's Impeachment Exhibit Controversy
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History on Saturday released a statement on its website announcing that it would reinstall President Donald Trump to its exhibit about impeachments, saying that it never intended his removal to be temporary. Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment by email outside of normal business hours on Saturday evening. The museum removed references to Trump's two impeachments from its exhibit on presidential impeachments last month, igniting a debate about historical accuracy and political influence in public institutions. The controversy centered on "The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden" exhibit, which included a temporary label about Trump's impeachments that was added in September 2021. Trump remains the only U.S. president to have been impeached twice. During his second administration, Trump has influenced the museum, which is independent of the government but receives funding from Congress. In March, he signed an executive order to eliminate "anti-American ideology" in the museum and to "restore the Smithsonian Institution to its rightful place as a symbol of inspiration and American greatness." The Smithsonian confirmed the temporary label remained in place until July before being removed during a review of legacy content. In a statement posted to the museum's website, the Smithsonian said the placard "did not meet the museum's standards in appearance, location, timeline and overall presentation." "It was not consistent with other sections in the exhibit and moreover blocked the view of the objects inside its case," the statement continued. "For these reasons, we removed the placard. We were not asked by any Administration or other government official to remove content from the exhibit." The museum assured that the exhibit in the coming weeks would see its impeachment section updated to reflect "all impeachment proceedings in our nation's history." "As the keeper of memory for the nation, it is our privilege and responsibility to tell accurate and complete histories," the museum wrote. The decision to remove the placard stoked concerns in the public about possible government interference, the shaping of public memory, and the integrity of historical curation at America's most prominent museum complex. A Smithsonian spokesperson previously told Newsweek: "In reviewing our legacy content recently, it became clear that the 'Limits of Presidential Power' section in The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden exhibition needed to be addressed. The section of this exhibition covers Congress, The Supreme Court, Impeachment, and Public Opinion. Because the other topics in this section had not been updated since 2008, the decision was made to restore the Impeachment case back to its 2008 appearance. Trump faced two impeachment efforts by Democrats during his first administration: First on December 18, 2019, and then again on January 13, 2021 - just one week before he left office. He was ultimately acquitted both times. The first impeachment charged Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress over his dealings with Ukraine. Both articles passed the House with no support from any Republicans, and some Democrats split from the party. The second effort occurred following the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, with some Republicans in the House - most notably Liz Cheney - breaking from the party and supporting the effort to impeach. What People Are Saying Political analyst Jeff Greenfield wrote on X: "Orwellian is a much-overused phrase; but forcing the Smithsonian to erase the fact of Trump's impeachments is right out of 1984. Did they drop that stuff down the memory hole?" Senator Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, posted images of media coverage about Trump's impeachments on X, writing: "This is what Donald Trump wants you to forget. American never will." Former GOP Congressman and Trump critic Joe Walsh called the Post's report on X: "Despicable. Reprehensible. Dishonest. Cowardly. Trump's 2 impeachments are historical facts. They are both part of American history. He's using the powers of his office to try to rewrite history. I'm done saying 'shame on him.' Shame on us for electing him." A White House spokesperson told NPR: "We are fully supportive of updating displays to highlight American greatness. The Trump administration will continue working to ensure that the Smithsonian removes all improper ideology and once again unites and instills pride in all Americans regarding our great history." The Smithsonian acknowledged the need for a comprehensive update of its presidential impeachment exhibit. The institution stated the impeachment section will be revised in the coming weeks to "ensure it accurately represents all historical impeachment proceedings." No specific timetable was provided for when Trump's impeachments or other new content will be permanently reintroduced. Related Articles Removal of Trump From Smithsonian Impeachment Exhibit Sparks OutrageTiny Flying Reptile Found in Arizona Fills 200-Million-Year Evolutionary GapWho Is Kim Sajet? Donald Trump Fires National Portrait Gallery DirectorHistory-Making Carl Nassib Reflects as His Jersey Heads to the Smithsonian 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
The Hill
02-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Smithsonian slated to restore Trump impeachment exhibit
The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History said it is slated to restore the placard with information about President Trump's two impeachments after removing it from the exhibit last month. The museum said in a Saturday statement that the section will be 'updated in the coming weeks to reflect all impeachment proceedings in our nation's history.' The Washington Post reported on Thursday, citing an unnamed source familiar with the exhibit plans, that the removal of the placard occurred as part of an internal content review the institution agreed to after pressure from President Trump's administration to get rid of the art museum director. The Smithsonian said on Saturday that the placard, part of the exhibit 'The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden,' did not meet the institution's standards and argued no one within the administration asked the museum to remove the information. 'The placard, which was meant to be a temporary addition to a twenty-five-year-old exhibition, did not meet the museum's standards in appearance, location, timeline and overall presentation. It was not consistent with other sections in the exhibit and moreover blocked the view of the objects inside its case,' the Smithsonian said in a statement. 'For these reasons, we removed the placard. We were not asked by any Administration or other government official to remove content from the exhibit,' the museum added. The placard, before being removed last month, detailed Trump's two impeachments and was featured as part of the exhibit since September 2021, the Smithsonian previously told The Hill. 'It was intended to be a short-term measure to address current events at the time, however, the label remained in place until July 2025,' a Smithsonian spokesperson said. 'The section of this exhibition covers Congress, The Supreme Court, Impeachment, and Public Opinion,' the spokesperson added. 'Because the other topics in this section had not been updated since 2008, the decision was made to restore the Impeachment case back to its 2008 appearance.' The president was impeached two times during his first White House term: once over a phone call where he allegedly asked Ukraine to investigate then-ex-President Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, and the other over his alleged role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. He was acquitted by the Senate in both instances. The removal of the placard drew backlash from Democratic Party lawmakers. Trump signed an executive order in March, ordering the removal of 'divisive narratives' from the Smithsonian museums that are not compatible with the administration's views and 'remind' Americans 'of our extraordinary heritage.' 'As the keeper of memory for the nation, it is our privilege and responsibility to tell accurate and complete histories. As has been recently reported, in July, a placard was removed from the National Museum of American History's exhibit 'The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden,'' the Smithsonian said on Saturday. 'The intent of the Impeachment section of the exhibit is to reflect all impeachment proceedings in our nation's history,' the institution added.
Hindustan Times
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Why Smithsonian removed Donald Trump impeachment references from an exhibit
The Smithsonian Institution has quietly removed a reference to US President Donald Trump's two impeachment proceedings from a key exhibit at the National Museum of American History. The decision comes as the White House exerts pressure to offer a more positive and selective view of American history. A Smithsonian spokesperson confirmed its removal.(AFP) The label referencing all Presidential impeachment proceedings was added in 2021 to the museum's "American Presidency" exhibit under the section "Limits of Presidential Power." It also addressed Trump's unprecedented dual impeachments. A Smithsonian spokesperson confirmed its removal, which comes as the new Trump administration has called for intensified efforts to reshape how federal cultural institutions portray American history. Why were the impeachment exhibits removed? Smithsonian spokesperson Phillip Zimmerman said Friday that the section, which includes materials on President Bill Clinton's impeachment and the Watergate scandal that led to President Richard Nixon's resignation, needed to be overhauled. He said the decision came after the museum" reviewed our legacy content recently." "Because the other topics in this section had not been updated since 2008, the decision was made to restore the Impeachment case back to its 2008 appearance," Zimmerman said in an email. He said that in September 2021, the museum installed a temporary label on content concerning Trump's impeachment. "It was intended to be a short-term measure to address current events at the time," he said. But the label remained in place. "A large permanent gallery like The American Presidency that opened in 2000 requires a significant amount of time and funding to update and renew," he said. "A future and updated exhibit will include all impeachments." Did political pressure play a role? While museum officials framed the decision as part of routine exhibit maintenance, the timing has raised eyebrows. Since his return to the Oval Office, Trump and his allies have called for efforts to eliminate what they describe as divisive or unpatriotic narratives. In March, Trump issued an executive order entitled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," in which he alleged that the Smithsonian was beholden to 'a divisive, race-centred ideology.' He has placed Vice President JD Vance in charge of an effort to ensure no funding goes to "exhibits or programmes that degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programmes or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy."
