Museum asserts that Trump administration did not force impeachment exhibit's disposal
The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History made headlines in July 2025 after it removed a placard detailing former President Donald Trump's two impeachments. The museum cited issues with the placard's presentation, such as its appearance, location, and how it blocked views of the exhibit objects. However, media reports, including from the Washington Post, suggested that the removal happened amid internal reviews and some pressure from the White House.
The placard, a temporary addition placed in 2021, was initially intended to provide context for the impeachment exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution. The exhibit aims to reflect all impeachment proceedings in U.S. history.
In March 2021, Trump signed an executive order to "restore the Smithsonian Institution" and "remove improper ideology." The order accused the Smithsonian of promoting narratives that portray American values as "inherently harmful and oppressive."
Despite the executive order, the Smithsonian Institution did not revert to old signage that said "only three presidents have seriously faced removal" - Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton. Instead, they chose to add a placard detailing Trump's impeachments.
Following the removal of the placard, the Smithsonian announced plans to formally update and reinstate the impeachment information in the exhibit. The institution maintained that the removal was not due to political or White House pressure but was based on internal curatorial standards and presentation concerns.
However, the executive order and the subsequent removal of the placard sparked controversy and accusations of political bias. Some critics argued that the Smithsonian was bowing to political pressure, while others believed that the institution was simply adhering to its curatorial standards.
As the controversy continues, the Smithsonian Institution has reaffirmed its commitment to presenting accurate and unbiased historical information. The institution is currently working on updating its exhibits to reflect all impeachment proceedings in U.S. history, including those of former President Donald Trump.
[1] Washington Post, "Smithsonian removes Trump impeachment placard, sparks controversy," July 2025.
- The removal of the placard detailing former President Donald Trump's impeachments from the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History led to speculation within policy-and-legislation and politics circles, with some commentators suggesting it was a result of White House pressure.
- The Smithsonian Institution's decision to remove and then plan to formally update the impeachment information for former President Donald Trump in its exhibits has stirred general-news discussions about political bias, as some critics argue the move was influenced by external pressure while others believe it is simply a matter of adhering to curatorial standards.
