this Trump administration Its control over the Smithsonian cultural representation of the world’s largest museum and research complex is clearly expanding.
In a letter posted on the White House websitethe government told the Smithsonian that it plans to conduct an extensive review of exhibitions, materials and assignments ahead of the 2026 U.S. 250th anniversary celebration.
Letter to Smithsonian Agency Secretary Lonnie Bunch, from Trump administration Officials said the White House hopes the museum’s plans reflect “unified, progressive and enduring values define the American story”, in line with an executive order issued in March that ordered the removal of “inappropriate, separatist or anti-American ideology” from Smithsonian and his museum.
The museum will have 120 days to replace the government’s discovery of “segmental or ideologically driven language with a unified, historically accurate and constructive description”.
Donald Trump’s The president’s order from March, titled “Restore Truth and Insanity” on American History, “is intended to ensure that the Smithsonians are an institution that inspires children’s imagination, celebrates American history and creativity, become a symbol of the great world of America, and make America proud.”
In early August, the museum was removed from office and later revised an exhibition about the impeachment of the U.S. President, which mentioned Trump’s two impeachment during his first term. Smithsonian officials later said that museum officials “no government or other government officials requested the removal of content from the exhibition.”
However, a letter to the institution Monday (originally obtained by The Wall Street Journal) put the institution under curatorial review, from public-oriented exhibitions and online content to in-house curatorial processes, exhibition programs, collections and artist grants.
The letter reportedly said: “This initiative is intended to ensure consistency with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, to eliminate separatist or partisan narratives, and to restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions.”
It was signed by Lindsey Halligan, senior White House assistant; Vince Haley, director of the Domestic Policy Committee and director of Russ Vorge; and director of the Office of Management and Budget.
Halligan was appointed JD Vance’s oversight of the Smithsonians. The comment was “about trust in one of our most cherished institutions”, she said in a statement.
Halligan added: “The Smithsonian Museum and exhibitions should be accurate, patriotic and inspired – making sure they remain a place for future generations to learn, wonder and national pride.”
The formal review is as the Trump administration puts the Washington, D.C. Police Department on Direct federal control and deployed the National Guard to the city on the grounds of public safety emergencies related to crime and homelessness, although data showed Violent crime drops sharply.
In January, Washington, DC Police and U.S. Attorney’s Office issued A report shows that total violent crime in Washington, D.C. in 2024 fell 35% from the previous year, resulting in the lowest violent crime rate in more than 30 years. Meanwhile, data have been showing that people who are not exposed are more likely to be harmed by crime than crime.
The review will initially highlight the following eight Smithsonian museums: the National Museum of History, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of American Indians, the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Gallery, the National Portrait, the National Portrait Gallery and the Helshhorne Museum and Sculpture Garden.
The White House letter said others will review it later.
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“The Smithsonian’s work is based on a profound commitment to academic excellence, rigorous research, and accurate, factual presentation of history,” the agency said in a statement. “We are reviewing this letter with this commitment in mind and will continue to work constructively with the White House, Congress and our Regent Commission.”
The Smithsonian Board of Directors has previously agreed to a thorough review of all its museum and zoo content to eliminate political influence and bias. Before his resignation in June, Kim Sajet, director of the National Portrait Gallery, resigned, and Trump said he was involved in his opposition to diversity initiatives.
Additionally, the metaphorical painter Amy Sherald canceled career commentary on her work in The Smithsonian—including portraits of former first lady Michelle Obama, fearing that the institute would not show trans freedom, a portrait of a trans woman with pink hair and blue clothes, blue dress and blue clothes, wearing a torch as a statue of freedom.
However, after Monday’s letter, a review of the exhibition of the 250th birthday program in the United States was ordered. This is also part of a broader effort to oversee a wide range of cultural and academic institutions.
The White House noted that museums should use “unified, historically accurate” text to correct “schismal or ideologically driven” language.
A team from the White House reportedly plans to conduct observation visits and museum drills to document topics and messaging. The letter also said the White House had requested a review of organizational charts, visitor surveys, showing artists who received Smithsonian grants, external partners, and internal communications related to the partial and approval process.
The media said the White House has given 30 days to flip the requested materials and is expected to complete the review by early 2026.
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