White House orders sweeping review of Smithsonian museums
The White House will conduct close examinations of numerous Smithsonian museums, according to an official letter. The goal of the examinations is to highlight American exceptionalism and eliminate language the president deems “divisive.”
The reviews come as the Trump administration prepares to celebrate 250 years since the country’s founding.
The upcoming reviews
The White House requested the examinations in a letter to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. It read, “It is more important than ever that our national museums reflect the unity, progress, and enduring values that define the American story.”
The letter notes that the reviews will be a collaborative effort and should not interfere with day-to-day operations. It says the goal is “to support a broader vision of excellence that highlights historically accurate, uplifting, and inclusive portrayals of America’s heritage.”
The initial focus consists of eight museums. These include the African American History Museum, the Air and Space Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. Museums have 30 days to provide information and 120 days to begin making “content corrections.”
Officials will focus on additional Smithsonian museums in what the White House is calling “Phase II.”
According to the letter, the reviews will examine public-facing content, the curatorial process, exhibition planning, collection use and narrative standards.
The letter says if all benchmarks are met on time, the administration will prepare a final report by early 2026.
Previous Smithsonian scrutiny
This review follows a March executive order instructing Vice President JD Vance, a Smithsonian regent, to identify and remove what the White House considers “improper ideology.”
According to NPR, the order criticized the Smithsonian for coming “under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology” and for promoting “narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.”
The order faced public scrutiny, with some saying it’s “whitewashing” America’s sometimes bloody history and arguing that all Americans deserve U.S. history in its entirety.
Following the order, the institution released a statement. It said it is “committed to ensuring that the Smithsonian is a beacon of scholarship free from political or partisan influence, and we recognize that our institution can and must do more to further these foundational values.”
The Smithsonian said it will review the latest letter from the White House and remains committed to truthful, accurate history.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
