Stripped of Liberty
The Trump administration has initiated a four-month review of the Smithsonian Institution museums, ordering them to remove "polarizing or ideologically influenced language" and replace it with "unifying, historically accurate, and constructive descriptions." The directive, issued in August 2025, aims to reshape the museums' content to reflect a particular national narrative [1][2].
Eight major Smithsonian museums are undergoing this comprehensive review, including the National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), National Museum of the American Indian, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden [1].
The review process involves the submission of promotional literature, grant data, educational materials, and guided tour content, as well as voluntary interviews with curators and senior staff to clarify institutional goals and curatorial visions [2]. By early 2026, museums are expected to begin implementing content corrections to remove what is deemed "divisive or ideologically driven language," with a focus on emphasizing "Americanism"—the people, principles, and progress that define the nation [2].
The review aims to prepare a final report detailing museum-specific assessments and offering recommendations to shape future exhibitions and strategies [2]. As an independent entity, the Smithsonian is overseen by a board of regents that includes figures such as the Supreme Court Chief Justice and the Vice President. However, it receives about 53% of its funding through Congressional appropriations, giving the federal government some leverage over its content policies [1].
This initiative has raised questions about curatorial independence, the portrayal of history, and the role of federal influence in cultural education. The removal of photos documenting the diversity of the country, such as African American war heroes, and the B-29 bomber Enola Gay, which carried the atomic bombs for Hiroshima and Nagasaki, from the national archives has been a controversial decision [1][2].
The Trump administration's actions towards the Smithsonian may not be legally authorized, and some view these actions as an expansion of his authoritarian course. The deadline set by President Trump for the changes is four months, and it remains to be seen how the Smithsonian will navigate this challenging situation while maintaining its commitment to scientific rigor and historical accuracy.
References: [1] Associated Press. (2025, August 1). Trump administration orders Smithsonian to overhaul exhibits. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trump-administration-orders-smithsonian-to-overhaul-exhibits/2025/08/01/8589e66a-735f-11e7-874b-8b32f10f1715_story.html
[2] Dwoskin, D. (2025, August 1). Trump administration orders Smithsonian to review exhibits for 'divisive' language. The Hill. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/415511-trump-administration-orders-smithsonian-to-review-exhibits-for-divisive
- The review of the Smithsonian museums, initiated by the Trump administration in 2025, is causing a stir in the realm of politics and policy-and-legislation, as some question the impact of federal influence on the portrayal of general-news such as war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice within cultural education.
- As the Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, undergo a four-month review, aiming to reshape their content to reflect a particular national narrative, concerns about curatorial independence and the authenticity of historical accounts remain at the forefront of general-news discussions.
- In the face of critics who view the Trump administration's actions as an expansion of authoritarianism, the Smithsonian Institution, an important player in the politics of culture and education, is grappling with implementing changes to its exhibits while upholding the values of scientific rigor and historical accuracy.
