The White House announced on Tuesday it will conduct an internal review of certain Smithsonian museums and exhibitions in preparation for the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence. The move follows President Donald Trump’s earlier accusation that the institution spreads “anti-American ideology,” a charge that has drawn concern from civil rights advocates.
In a letter to Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie Bunch, three senior White House officials said the review’s purpose is to ensure “historically accurate” and “inclusive portrayals” of the nation’s heritage.
“This initiative 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,” the letter stated.
The correspondence referenced Trump’s March executive order, Restoring Truth And Sanity To American History, in which the Republican president singled out the Smithsonian, alleging it had come under the sway of a “divisive, race-centered ideology” in recent years.
The order is consistent with the Trump administration’s broader push to eliminate diversity and inclusion programs across government, universities, and corporations. Critics have warned that the measure risks political interference in the vast museum and research complex, as well as undermining decades of social progress and the acknowledgement of pivotal chapters in American history.
According to its website, the Smithsonian Institution encompasses 21 museums and galleries, plus the National Zoo. The institution has not yet responded to requests for comment.
The White House said the review will examine the tone and historical framing of exhibition texts, websites, educational resources, and digital content, with particular attention to displays planned for the 250th anniversary. Within 120 days, the museums are expected to begin replacing “divisive or ideologically driven language with unifying, historically accurate, and constructive descriptions” where deemed necessary, the letter added.
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With inputs from Reuters
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