In a bold move, President Donald Trump has threatened to significantly alter the operations of the Smithsonian Institution, a world-renowned network of museums and research centers. His recent executive order aims to eliminate what he describes as an “anti-American ideology” that has permeated the institution. This order, signed on Thursday, outlines his vision to overhaul the largest museum and education complex in the world, with the goal of “restoring truth and sanity to American history.”
President Trump has specifically expressed his discontent with the way Congress funds exhibitions that he claims “divide Americans by race.” He has targeted notable institutions within the Smithsonian, such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the upcoming Women's History Museum. According to the executive order, these museums purportedly plan to “recognize men as women,” a statement that underscores the administration's focus on the ideological content presented in these institutions.
The executive order instructs Vice President JD Vance, who is a member of the Smithsonian board by virtue of his elected position, to take action against what the order calls “improper ideology.” This directive includes efforts to remove perceived ideological biases from the Smithsonian’s museums, educational programs, research centers, and even the National Zoo. This intervention is unprecedented, as the Smithsonian has historically operated with a significant degree of independence since its establishment over 175 years ago.
The Smithsonian Institution comprises 21 museums and the National Zoo, with eleven of these museums located along the iconic National Mall in Washington, D.C. Each year, millions of visitors flock to its museums in both D.C. and New York City, drawn by the impressive collection of artifacts and art. Highlights include Thomas Jefferson’s Desk, Jackson Pollock's 'Number 1, 1950 (Lavender Mist), and even the chair made famous by the character Archie Bunker.
Trump's executive order raises concerns about the narrative presented in museums, asserting that over the past decade, objective facts have been overshadowed by a distorted, ideologically driven perspective. “Museums in our Nation's capital should be places where individuals go to learn — not to be subjected to ideological indoctrination or divisive narratives that distort our shared history,” the order emphasizes.
As of now, representatives for the Smithsonian Institution have not responded to requests for comment regarding Trump's executive order. The institution was originally founded with funds from James Smithson, a British scientist who intended to create a space “for the increase and diffusion of knowledge” in the United States. This recent executive action comes at a time when there have been ongoing discussions about how institutions present diverse narratives, highlighted by the Pentagon's recent decision to restore webpages that honor the significant wartime contributions of Navajo Code Talkers and other Native American veterans.
The backdrop of this debate includes a recent Pentagon initiative that had temporarily removed content related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, which sparked backlash from various tribes.
