1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to defend the Smithsonian Institution's independence and protect its ability to present accurate, evidence-based American history without political interference. The Trump administration has demanded that the Smithsonian submit comprehensive lists of all displays, objects, and wall text from its 21 museums, threatening to withhold federal funding unless exhibits present what the White House considers a sufficiently positive view of American history. In a December 18 letter, White House budget director Russell Vought and domestic policy director Vince Haley stated they want assurance that Smithsonian leadership understands Americans will have no patience for any museum that is diffident about America's founding. Vice President JD Vance has been placed on the Smithsonian's Board of Regents specifically to oversee efforts to remove what the administration calls improper ideology. This pressure has already produced results. References to Trump's two impeachments have been removed from his portrait display at the National Portrait Gallery's American Presidents exhibition. Trump fired National Archives head archivist and announced the firing of National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet, who ultimately resigned despite backing from the Smithsonian's governing board. As Dartmouth history professor Matthew Delmont explained, history is about evidence and welcoming complexity and nuance, not crafting a single story that needs to make everyone feel happy. Retired National Archives archivist Jim McSweeney emphasized that we must learn from our shared experience and never whitewash or change anything based upon political leanings. The Smithsonian's credibility depends on its commitment to factual accuracy and scholarly integrity, not political approval. I urge you to publicly oppose any efforts to condition federal funding on ideological compliance and to support legislation that protects the Smithsonian's independence. Our cultural institutions must remain free to present history honestly, with all its complexity.