Key facts
- The Trump administration has threatened to cease support for the Smithsonian Institution.
- A letter cited concerns over "extreme political activism" and "woke" ideology at the National Museum of American History.
- Potential actions include stopping artifact loans, procurement processes, and discretionary grants.
- Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and White House Domestic Policy Council Director Vince Haley sent the letter.
- The administration seeks changes in the Smithsonian's executive leadership and institutional ideology.
- The Smithsonian's Board of Regents has been asked to meet with administration officials.
The Trump administration has indicated that federal agencies may cease their support for the Smithsonian Institution, citing concerns over "extreme political activism" and "woke" ideology within the institution, particularly at the National Museum of American History. In a letter dated August 28, administration officials, including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and White House Domestic Policy Council Director Vince Haley, stated that government agencies cannot "in good conscience" continue to support the Smithsonian under its current leadership. Potential actions include halting the loaning of artifacts for exhibits, ceasing assistance with procurement processes, and discontinuing discretionary grants.
The administration's pressure campaign aims to align the Smithsonian's programming with President Donald Trump's views, which include rooting out what he considers a revisionist approach to American history. The letter suggested that the Smithsonian's "institutional culture may have resulted in significant violations of Federal antidiscrimination law," though specific examples were not provided. The Smithsonian, a public-private trust, receives two-thirds of its budget from the federal government and frequently collaborates on initiatives and research.
Smithsonian officials have pushed back against the administration's claims. Andrea Hartig, Director of the National Museum of American History, stated at a congressional hearing that the White House report did not accurately characterize the museum's work, emphasizing that the museum does not take political sides. This action follows a previous order by President Trump for the National Park Service to install temporary signage near the museum warning of "inaccurate information" in its exhibits. The White House's scrutiny of the Smithsonian began earlier in the year with an executive order directing Vice President JD Vance to facilitate the appointment of regents aligned with the administration's priorities.