The White House has officially requested a comprehensive review of the Smithsonian Institution’s museums and exhibits to ensure they align with President Donald Trump’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism. The announcement letter about the new initiative was sent out Tuesday and signed by Lindsey Halligan, Vince Haley, and Russell Vought.
The process of review will now require the Smithsonian to make all substantive changes to content within 120 days of receiving the letter. The commitment will be implemented in stages. The first phase will be limited to a few chosen museums, and we’ll assess other museums in a second phase.
This Campaign takes inspiration from and continues the recent work of the National Museum of American History. They deleted mention of Trump’s two impeachments in one of their exhibit’s trumpeting their questionable actions. This dramatic reversal caused great concern among many watchdogs. Many worried that the museum was changing its subject matter in order to cater to the new administration.
The letter outlined the White House’s intent to “remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions.” To that end, museums have an important responsibility to craft narratives that highlight and promote American exceptionalism. This is all the more critical as the nation prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its founding.
Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch was the first to get the letter. This comes in direct response to the administration’s direction that national museums must reflect unity, progress, and the basic values that undergird the American story.
The White House’s initiative has gotten a lot of favorable press for its impact on how history will be told in our national institutions. The letter’s signatories include key figures within the administration, such as Vince Haley, who serves as the domestic policy council’s director, and Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget.
The review aims to ensure that Smithsonian exhibits are grounded in “a deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and the accurate, factual presentation of history,” according to statements from the Smithsonian Institution.
As this review progresses, it is worth noting that all eyes are on the process. Ultimately, they’re concerned about how it will affect the depiction of sensitive historical events and figures inside these treasured cultural institutions.