1. United States
2. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern and strong opposition to Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at altering the presentation of American history in the Smithsonian Institution and other cultural institutions. This directive, which seeks to eliminate so-called “divisive” narratives from our national museums and historical records, is a dangerous step toward historical revisionism and censorship. A nation’s strength comes from an honest and unflinching engagement with its past. America’s history is complex, filled with both triumphs and failures, and it is our responsibility to acknowledge and learn from both. The executive order’s attempt to mandate a sanitized version of history that ignores the struggles of marginalized communities is not only intellectually dishonest but also undermines the very values of truth and democracy upon which this country was built. Throughout history, authoritarian regimes have sought to control narratives to consolidate power, erase uncomfortable truths, and manufacture a nationalistic vision of the past. We must not allow such distortions to take root in the United States. The Smithsonian and other institutions should be free to present accurate, scholarly, and inclusive historical accounts without political interference. I urge your administration to take immediate action to revoke or counteract this executive order and to reaffirm the government’s commitment to historical integrity, academic freedom, and inclusive storytelling. Our history belongs to all Americans, and it must remain in the hands of historians and educators, not politicians with ideological agendas. Thank you for your time and leadership on this critical issue. I hope to see your administration take a firm stand in protecting our nation’s historical truth.