Executive Pressure on the Smithsonian Threatens Institutional Independence

As your constituent, I urge you to oppose efforts by the Trump administration to direct how the Smithsonian Institution presents American history. Congress should protect the Smithsonian’s independence while preserving legitimate oversight of public funds. FEDERAL OVERSIGHT MUST NOT BECOME POLITICAL CONTROL Oversight of a federally supported institution is appropriate. But since March 2025, the administration has taken steps that go beyond ordinary financial or administrative review. President Trump signed Executive Order 14253, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” on March 27, 2025, stating the Smithsonian has been influenced by a “divisive, race-centered ideology.” The White House Domestic Policy Council then conducted a months-long review of Smithsonian exhibits, educational materials, and programming, releasing a 162-page report, “Saving America’s Story,” on July 4, 2026, concluding the National Museum of American History had undergone “ideological capture.” Trump signed a further order on July 24, 2026, directing Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and other officials to install warning signage outside the museum and use all available authorities to press for changes, according to the Associated Press, CBS News, NBC News, and the Washington Post. Together, these actions risk federal power shaping professional historical judgment. CONGRESS CREATED A PUBLIC TRUST, NOT AN EXECUTIVE AGENCY The Smithsonian is a congressionally created trust instrumentality governed by a Board of Regents, under the 1846 Organic Act (20 U.S.C. Section 41), giving Congress responsibility to protect its accountability and independence. Courts have held the Smithsonian is not an executive agency subject to laws like the Administrative Procedure Act, meaning political control is legally, not just institutionally, out of bounds. The administration may criticize exhibits, and Congress may examine spending and governance. But curatorial judgments should rest on evidence and professional standards, not political direction. POLITICAL PRESSURE WOULD WEAKEN PUBLIC CONFIDENCE American history includes great achievements and painful injustices. Presenting both honestly matters for students, researchers, and the public. The danger extends beyond this dispute. If one administration can use funding and public pressure to shape museum content, future administrations may do the same for opposite ends, making the Smithsonian appear to reflect whoever holds power. CONGRESS SHOULD SET CLEAR BOUNDARIES (1) SPEAK OUT. Publicly affirm that legitimate oversight must not become political direction of Smithsonian scholarship or exhibits. (2) HOLD HEARINGS. Examine the administration’s orders, document requests, and funding pressure on Smithsonian governance and programming. (3) PROTECT INDEPENDENCE. Pass legislation defining appropriate oversight, barring political retaliation over curatorial content, and protecting professional historical, scientific, and educational judgments. Thank you.