President Donald Trump has directed that warning signs be posted outside the Smithsonian National Museum of American History to alert visitors to exhibits his administration describes as "inaccurate." The executive order tasks the Department of the Interior with installing those notices and pointing visitors to what the administration calls "accurate information regarding America's history."
What The Order Says
The executive order, titled Restoring Trust in the Smithsonian Institution, criticizes museum leadership for allegedly failing to sufficiently celebrate the nation's founders during the 250th anniversary of independence on 4 July. It asserts that the museum’s senior team "views American history as a 'prime tool' to advance ideas of social justice and the radical transformation of our society." An accompanying White House statement accused the museum of moving "toward extreme political activism, rooted in Marxism, to divide, dispirit, and discourage Americans."
Political Backlash And Oversight
Democratic lawmakers with oversight of the Smithsonian condemned the order.
"This EO is a clear political overreach, driven by an ideological agenda to rewrite American history," wrote Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury, ranking member of the House Administration Committee, on X. "Our Smithsonian institutions do not belong to the President, but to the American people and so does our nation's history."
The order follows two recent congressional hearings in which Smithsonian director Anthea Hartig was questioned by Republican lawmakers who accused the institution of being "infected by a woke ideology" in exhibits, educational materials and planning documents. Earlier this month, the White House Domestic Policy Council published a report asserting that the museum "erases our heritage."
Context And Previous Actions
Trump has made reshaping federal cultural and educational programs a priority, arguing that many institutions have been influenced by what he calls "woke" left-wing ideas. He has signed several executive orders aimed at curtailing diversity, equity and inclusion programs in federal agencies; some of these measures have faced legal challenges. In March, the president issued a separate order directing the Smithsonian to "eliminate improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology."
About The Smithsonian
The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum and research complex. It operates 21 museums and centers in Washington, Virginia and New York, including the National Museum of American History, the National Portrait Gallery, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Zoo. Largely funded by the federal government, the Smithsonian's museums offer free admission to an estimated 15 to 30 million visitors annually.
The Smithsonian did not immediately respond to the BBC's request for comment on the new order.
